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Defence Act, 2002 (Act No. 42 of 2002)

Chapter 4 : Law Enforcement Powers of Defence Force at Sea

29. Co-operation with foreign states

 

1) Subject to subsection (2), any officer of the Defence Force serving on a warship or military aircraft of the Defence Force or any other ship or aircraft on government service specially authorised, may, in respect of any violation of the law of a foreign state—
a) seize any vessel;
b) arrest any person on board such vessel;
c) seize any property on board such vessel;
d) conduct a hot pursuit operation in relation to such vessel;
e) escort such vessel to a foreign port;
f) surrender such vessel, person or property to the authorities of the foreign state contemplated in paragraph (e); and
g) assist in any of the actions contemplated in paragraphs (a) to (e).

 

2) An action contemplated in subsection (1) may only be taken—
a) in pursuance of a reciprocal agreement on co-operation in law enforcement at sea between the Republic and the relevant foreign state;
b) if the law enforcement measure taken, is consistent with the agreement; and
c) if the relevant foreign state may take the law enforcement measures contemplated in subsection (1) (a) to (e) under international law.

 

3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply with the necessary changes to enforcement in respect of violations of South African or foreign law by officers of the—
a) Defence Force on board a foreign warship, military aircraft or other authorised foreign vessel or aircraft; and
b) armed forces of a foreign state on board a warship or military aircraft of the Defence Force or on board any other authorised South African vessel.

 

4) An officer contemplated in subsection (3) (b) must be regarded as being a peace officer as defined in section 1 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act 51 of 1977), when taking enforcement measures in respect of the violation of any South African law.