We often get asked the question, why do we blur the suspects faces on our Facebook news feed. The public, feeling frustrated with a crime often want to name and shame the suspects. Our director and legal expert, Mr Dave Campbell explains;
Making an arrest is only the first step we need to do what we can to try and secure a conviction as well.
We need to be aware and consider if publishing suspects face on Social Media is helping or actually hindering a successful prosecution.
The reasons are threefold
Firstly it may well be a crime to do so.
There are certain rules and procedures that need to be adhered to when handling situations regarding perpetrators, their identity, the victim and the crime.
According to Section 69 of the South African Police Services Act, “No person may without the written consent of the National Provincial Commissioner, publish a photograph or sketch of a person who is suspected of having committed an offence and who is in custody…”. It goes on to state that “any person who publishes such a photograph shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months”.
Section 69 of the South African Police Services Act
69 Prohibition on the publication of photographs or sketches on certain persons in custody
For the purposes of this section –
‘photograph’ includes any picture, visually perceptible image, depiction or any other similar representation of the person concerned; and
‘publish’, in relation to a photograph or sketch, includes to exhibit, show, televise, represent or reproduce.
No person may, without the written permission of the National or Provincial Commissioner, publish a photograph or sketch of a person –
-
- who is suspected of having committed an offence and who is in custody pending a decision to institute criminal proceedings against him or her;
- who is in custody pending the commencement of criminal proceedings in which he or she is an accused; or
- who is or may reasonably be expected to be a witness in criminal proceedings and who is in custody pending the commencement of his or her testimony in such proceedings.
- Any person who publishes a photograph or sketch in contravention of subsection (2), shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months.
The Criminal Procedure Act, Section 154 (2)(b) stipulates that: – “No person shall at any stage before the appearance of an accused in a court upon any charge referred to in section 153 (3) or at any stage after such appearance but before the accused has pleaded to the charge, publish in any manner whatever any information relating to the charge in question”.
Section 153(3) charges relate to sexual offences and intimidation.
The South African Police Services, for example, regulate the police’s interaction with the Media in terms of the SAPS Standing Order 156, which can be viewed at http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/151028r2k.pdf
In respect of the accused, the South African Police Services Standing Order stipulates that details of the accused may only be released after his/her appearance at Court. However, if the crime is of a sexual nature and involves person/s related to the victim, the identity of the accused person/s shall not be published even after he/she has appeared before Court.
Secondly, it can interfere with the investigation and successful prosecution
Where the evidence/information about a crime has been released on social media it could potentially taint the evidence. For example, if a witness needs to identify an accused in an identity parade. It could be argued by the defence that the witness has been tainted by seeing the accused face in the media and the accused is only pointed out due to his face appearing on social media and not from recognising him from the scene and that the court should not place weight on the identification.
It is also worth remembering that social media is accessible to the public and is viewed by everyone. This includes the suspects themselves. We are aware that suspects do regularly view the social media feeds of security companies, neighbourhood watches, CPF’s, etc for information. It can be a source of frustration when the community, be it with a good intention, misguidedly publicise information about crimes including putting up photographs and videos of vehicles used. As soon as the suspects become aware that the vehicle they are using is known. They will immediately change their vehicles making it more difficult to arrest them or tipping them off that their identity is known to allow them to flee before an arrest is made
Thirdly, it could be unfair on the suspect (not necessary a popular argument I know) but there are occasions where the suspect may not be guilty. For example, where a member of the public points out a suspect to us and advise they had committed an offence days earlier which was not witnessed by us and the suspect, for example, claims it’s a case of mistaken identity
For more information, the legislation can be found below:
STANDING ORDER (GENERAL) 156 MEDIA COMMUNICATION IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
Remember to call us IN CASE OF ANYTHING.
Marshall Security
086 162 7732
