A criminal lawyer has criticised SAPS for being too hasty in arresting people before establishing the facts. Lawyer, William Booth says this can be problematic because it can result in innocent people being arrested, and criminals getting away.

He was speaking in light of a Gauteng High Court ruling that ordered Police Minister Bheki Cele to pay out Ntokozo Patrick Zulu R2.6 million in damages after being unlawfully prisoned for killing a would-be robber in self-defence in 2018.

Zulu served more than two years in prison. Booth adds that while anyone can cite self-defence as a means to justify their crimes, the owners is on the police to conduct proper investigations to ensure that the right people are apprehended.