A roadblock is an operation conducted on a public road by the EMPD and other law enforcement agencies under the SAPS laws.
According to the EMPD, they are common in areas with high crime statistics, and the purpose is to combat crime. They have various kinds of roadblocks.
Some questions and answers about roadblocks:
When the police stop me at a roadblock, what can I expect?
The officer who stopped you will ask you to provide a driver’s license and you must comply.
What would happen if I do not have a driver’s licence or it had expired?
If your driver’s license has expired, an officer can give you a written notice for driving with an expired driver’s license. If you don’t have it or forgot it at home, the officer can detain you and ask you to call someone to bring your driver’s license or give you a fine for driving without one.
• When officers ask to search my car, what are my rights?
According to our laws under the SAPS, an officer has a right to stop and search every vehicle suspected of illegal activities. The public must comply.
• If I refuse, what will happen?
Refuse to comply, and you will be arrested and taken to the nearest police station to be detained and charged with failure to comply or furnish information to the officer.
• Can I be arrested for outstanding traffic fines?
Not all roadblocks check for outstanding fines. You must go and pay those fines. You must pay on the spot if there’s a warrant for those traffic fines.
• What can I do if I feel intimidated by an EMPD officer?
You can ask for the supervisor or the person in charge of the roadblock and report to the officer.
• If I feel unsafe at a roadblock, what can I do?
You need not feel unsafe because, at a roadblock, there’s lots of police visibility, and if you don’t comply, officers might suspect you’re hiding something.
• How do I know if an EMPD officer is legitimate?
When stopped by a metro police officer or any law enforcement official, the public has the right to ask an officer to identify themself and produce their appointment cards.
