Police expert warns ministers lack power to ‘close things’ in policing decisions [SOUND]

# South African Police Service legislative expert Marga van Rooyen told the Madlanga commission that the Constitution makes it clear police officers must reject unlawful orders, even if they come from political leaders. Testifying at the commission in Pretoria, Van Rooyen said politicians cannot be expected to grasp the complexities of policing or foresee the consequences of their directives. She warned that ministers cannot simply ‘close things,’ as it may have serious and unintended effects on policing: