POL1502
Assignment 2
Semester 2 | Due 19
September 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Pick the date]
[Type the company name]
, Exam (elaborations)
POL1502 Assignment 2 Semester 2 | Due 19
September 2025
Course
Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IB (POL1502)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Question 1 1.1. Discuss the role of law enforcement agencies in the custody
and management of seized property. Use examples from South African law
to support your answer.
Law enforcement agencies play a crucial role in the custody and management of seized property,
ensuring its integrity as evidence and proper disposal. In South Africa, this role is governed
primarily by the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 (CPA) and other specialized legislation.
This framework establishes clear legal procedures that balance the state's need to investigate
crime with the individual's constitutional right to privacy and property.
Powers of Seizure
The initial step is the legal seizure of property. According to Section 20 of the CPA, a police
official may seize an article if they reasonably believe it:
Is concerned in or may be concerned in the commission of a crime.
May afford evidence of the commission of a crime.
Is intended to be used in the commission of a crime. This seizure is often done with a
search warrant obtained from a magistrate, but in urgent cases, it can be done without a
warrant if there are reasonable grounds that a delay in obtaining one would defeat the
object of the search.
Custody and Management
Once property is seized, law enforcement has a strict duty of care. The South African Police
Service (SAPS) is responsible for its custody. This involves:
Documentation: The seized property must be properly documented and a distinctive
identification mark must be given to it. This includes creating a detailed inventory and
providing a copy to the person from whom the property was seized. This is crucial for
maintaining a clear chain of custody, which is vital for the evidence to be admissible in
court.
Assignment 2
Semester 2 | Due 19
September 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Pick the date]
[Type the company name]
, Exam (elaborations)
POL1502 Assignment 2 Semester 2 | Due 19
September 2025
Course
Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IB (POL1502)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Question 1 1.1. Discuss the role of law enforcement agencies in the custody
and management of seized property. Use examples from South African law
to support your answer.
Law enforcement agencies play a crucial role in the custody and management of seized property,
ensuring its integrity as evidence and proper disposal. In South Africa, this role is governed
primarily by the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 (CPA) and other specialized legislation.
This framework establishes clear legal procedures that balance the state's need to investigate
crime with the individual's constitutional right to privacy and property.
Powers of Seizure
The initial step is the legal seizure of property. According to Section 20 of the CPA, a police
official may seize an article if they reasonably believe it:
Is concerned in or may be concerned in the commission of a crime.
May afford evidence of the commission of a crime.
Is intended to be used in the commission of a crime. This seizure is often done with a
search warrant obtained from a magistrate, but in urgent cases, it can be done without a
warrant if there are reasonable grounds that a delay in obtaining one would defeat the
object of the search.
Custody and Management
Once property is seized, law enforcement has a strict duty of care. The South African Police
Service (SAPS) is responsible for its custody. This involves:
Documentation: The seized property must be properly documented and a distinctive
identification mark must be given to it. This includes creating a detailed inventory and
providing a copy to the person from whom the property was seized. This is crucial for
maintaining a clear chain of custody, which is vital for the evidence to be admissible in
court.
