National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998)Chapter 8 : Enforcement68. Power to seize |
| (1) | A forest officer may seize without a warrant— |
| (a) | any forest produce in respect of which he or she has reason to suspect an offence has been or is being committed; |
| (b) | any vehicle, tool, weapon, animal or other thing which he or she has reason to believe has been or is being used in the commission of an offence; |
| (c) | any thing which he or she has reason to believe might be used as evidence in the prosecution of any person for an offence. |
| (2) | Where any vehicle or animal is seized under subsection (1)(b), the person in control of the vehicle or animal must take it to the place pointed out by the forest officer. |
| (3) | The place pointed out must be that which in the opinion of the forest officer is the 3 nearest or most convenient for keeping the vehicle or animal. |
| (4) | The vehicle may be kept there pending the outcome of any proceedings in terms of this Act. |
| (5) | If the person in control of the vehicle or animal refuses to take it to the place, the forest officer may do so. |
| (6) | In order to safeguard a vehicle which has. been seized, the forest officer may immobilise it by removing a part. |
| (7) | The part must be kept safely and returned to the vehicle in good order when it is released. |
| (8) | An item seized under this section must be kept securely and in good order. |