18. Minimum Force

Document is an extract from the Operational Law Training Guide DD of the SANDF, April 2000

18.1 The principle of minimum force is one of the most important underlying principles of all activities of the SANDF. Regardless of the activities undertaken, they must always be subject to the principle of minimum force. Minimum force is the golden rule that must be considered in all circumstances.

18.2 Minimum force can, objectively viewed, be described as the amount of force that is necessary to achieve the intended aim.

18.3 The test for deciding whether or not minimum force was used is objective, ie it is decided whether the force, measured in terms of the reasonable-man test, was reasonable. The test is whether a reasonable man, under the same circumstances, would have applied the same amount of force.

18.4 A useful criterion that can be used when determining minimum force is to ask the question: “Isn’t there another way to deal with the situation?” If the intended aim cannot be achieved without using the force, then the force to be used will be minimum force. When answering the question “Isn’t there any other way”, all the relevant factors and circumstances objectively present must be taken into account.