31/12/2025
In Jacobs v Minister of Police and Others (2021/6576) [2025] ZAGPJHC 722 (12 June 2025), the High Court confirmed that:
1) A citizen may record police officers in public
2) Recording police is NOT a crime
3) Arresting someone only for filming police is unlawful
Police may not rely on “interference” unless there is actual obstruction
The court ruled that the arrest and detention of Mr Jacobs for filming police at a roadblock were unlawful, and he was awarded R250,000 in damages.
