SA police 'powerless' to probe foreign crimes

The South African Police Service (SAPS) did not have the power to investigate claims of crimes against humanity committed in Zimbabwe if the perpetrators were not in South Africa, it was argued in the Constitutional Court on Monday.

The case centres on whether the government is legally allowed to investigate such crimes outside South Africa's borders.

The court heard arguments on whether the Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act would allow South African authorities to investigate claims of torture against senior Zimbabwean officials if the officials were not in South Africa.

SAPS national commissioner Riah Phiyega is appealing against last year's Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that the police are empowered to investigate whether or not the alleged perpetrators were in South Africa.