The Protection from Harassment Act (Act 17 of 2011) came into operation on 27 April 2013, aimed at stopping \u201cthe pain and suffering of being harassed\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Protection of Harassment Act, which was adopted by Parliament towards the end of 2011, provides for an inexpensive civil remedy to protect a person from behaviour which may not constitute a crime but which may impact negatively on various rights of an individual.<\/p>\n
The Act aims to address harassment by means of a court order, in terms of which the harasser is prohibited from continuing with the act of harassment.<\/p>\n
Any person who contravenes such an order is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years.<\/p>\n
In terms of the Act, the court may order \u2013<\/p>\n
The SAPS may in certain circumstances also investigate a complaint of harassment made directly to the SAPS to ascertain the identity and address of the harasser.<\/p>\n
If a person is being harassed, he or she may apply for a protection order against such conduct at a magistrate\u2019s court.<\/p>\n
The procedure for applying for a protection order is straight forward and inexpensive. Legal representation is not required.<\/p>\n
When a court grants a protection order, a warrant of arrest will automatically be issued for the harasser.<\/p>\n
The execution thereof will be suspended, pending any non-compliance with a condition of the protection order.<\/p>\n
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