Concern over use of LRAD by Police to disperse rally

It has come to light that a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) was used to disperse last night's MDP rally.

Videos have been circulating on social media showing the Police making use of the device.

LRAD's are specialized loudspeaker that projects sound in a focused beam for communication and crowd control over long distances and used in various countries as a non-lethal weapon. 

LRADs are used by law enforcement, military, and disaster relief agencies for purposes ranging from community warnings to de escalating tense situations, though their high decibel capacity raises concerns about potential hearing damage. 

Police made use of LRAD's close to 11 pm, with the sound reverberating throughout the area for some time. Protesters and civilians complained about the discomfort the device caused.

This is the first time such a device has been used to disperse a crowd.

The device has the potential to cause significant harm if used in close proximity. Last night, the Police used the device in the space between protesters and Police shield units. Due to the noise generated by the device there is fear that it may cause hearing loss, along with the pain that comes with it.

At the press conference held at midnight by MDP's legal team, they said that the Police did not have permission to use the LRAD and that it is a violation of the law.

Lawyer Ahmed Mauroof stated that LRAD's are devices that emit a sharp noise that causes damage to people's hearing and ears.

"We received information that the Police did not have the permission to use this weapon or device," said Mauroof.

"We realized that the weapon was made by Israel upon clarifying the information. We know this to be true as it has been seen in the news, where Israel has used this device in order to pester and cause trouble for the Palestinians."

However, a senior official has spoken on behalf of enforcement agencies  and has defended the device, stating that it is not a "sonic weapon" that can cause a disability in a person or people.

"It is a 'non-lethal' means of communication in order to control gatherings. LRAD's would not cause any physical harm, unlike the way tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper balls, tasers and flash bang grenades do," said the official.

However, some protesters have said that upon use of the LRAD, they've experienced major discomfort in their ears, along with headaches, dizziness and nausea. Some people are condemning the Police's use of such a device in a public space where people reside.

Some people have also brought to attention the fact that the Human Rights Commission and the National Integrity Commission have remained quiet regarding the issue.

The authorities have not disclosed the reason they used the sonic device during last night's protest.

It is not clear whether the use of LRAD's are allowed in the Police's Standard Operating Procedure's (SOP), as this procedure has not been made public. The procedure that states the use of pepper spray, tear gas and mallets have been made public in the past.

Eight people were arrested during MDP's protest last night, with all of them still being held in custody.