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Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013)

Chapter 10 : Enforcement

84. Execution of warrants

 

 

(1) A police officer who is assisting a person authorised to conduct an entry and search in terms of a warrant issued under section 82 may overcome resistance to the entry and search by using such force as is reasonably necessary.

 

(2) A warrant issued under this section must be executed at a reasonable hour unless it appears to the person executing it that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the evidence in question would not be found if it were so executed.

 

(3) If the person who occupies the premises in respect of which a warrant is issued under section 82 is present when the warrant is executed, he or she must be shown the warrant and supplied with a copy of it, and if that person is not present a copy of the warrant must be left in a prominent place on the premises.

 

(4) A person seizing anything in pursuance of a warrant under section 82 must give a receipt to the occupier or leave the receipt on the premises.

 

(5) Anything so seized may be retained for as long as is necessary in all circumstances but the person in occupation of the premises in question must be given a copy of any documentation that is seized if he or she so requests and the person executing the warrant considers that it can be done without undue delay.

 

(6) A person authorised to conduct an entry and search in terms of section 82 must be accompanied and assisted by a police officer.

 

(7) A person who enters and searches any premises under this section must conduct the entry and search with strict regard for decency and order, and with regard to each person’s right to dignity, freedom, security and privacy.

 

(8) A person who enters and searches premises under this section must before questioning any person—
(a) advise that person of the right to be assisted at the time by an advocate or attorney; and
(b) allow that person to exercise that right.

 

(9) No self-incriminating answer given or statement made to a person who conducts a search in terms of a warrant issued under section 82 is admissible as evidence against the person who gave the answer or made the statement in criminal proceedings, except in criminal proceedings for perjury or in which that person is tried for an offence contemplated in section 102 and then only to the extent that the answer or statement is relevant to prove the offence charged.