Facebook user blows whistle on cops
2010-11-01 09:27
Cape Town - A Facebook user claims that a high percentage of traffic fines issued are illegal, and has set up a page on the social networking site for irate users to air their grievances.
"Some (fines) have a high level of illegality if I can say that, whereas others are illegal by virtue of small technicalities," a user calling himself Public Servant told News24.
"A lack of a warrant to set up a trap in a certain area, trapping more than 500m away from the location specified in the warrant, lack of proper calibration documentation, trapping from an incorrect incline, the camera or radar not being firmly mounted, etc are all illegal," he (or she) added.
The Facebook page has over 14 000 people who "like" it and regularly updates users on where traffic officers are operating in SA.
Public Servant said he chose a Facebook page simply because it's free and there is already a captive audience on social networking sites.
'Honest cops'
"I started these pages because I found a need for it through my experiences. It actually took a lot of thought before I actually made them public. I would like to move it to a website because it would provide for users who do not have a Facebook or Twitter account. Websites however, cost money but if I find the means and there is a need, then I would do it."
Public Servant seems to be similar in outlook and purpose to PigSpotter, a popular Twitter user who warned Johannesburg drivers about police road blocks and speed traps. Police though, take a dim view of this kind of information.
"What he has done, is defeating the ends of justice. We have information that we are following up. That is all we are saying. He will face the consequences of his actions," said Johannesburg Metro Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
Public Servant is afraid of the police, especially after the threat against PigSpotter, but he applauds "honest cops".
"I have heard what JMPD's spokesperson has said in response to the PigSpotter - He has made a huge mistake in attacking Pigspotter on air and saying that they are close to an arrest.
"In terms of the law - I do not think that I am breaking the law as the information I post is readily available on modern GPS units. It is the same as calling a friend and warning of a roadblock. I have also been doing research on warning oncoming motorists of a speed trap by 'flashing' them - There is no law against it," he said.
Police target certain areas where they believe people will easily pay a bribe or a fine, said Public Servant.
Action
"From the updates that I post in Durban, Johannesburg and other cities, I see that they target specific areas. Not necessarily rich areas but areas in which people who get fined will pay (the fine or a bribe) without much fuss. In Cape Town, I do not see much of a trend.
"However, I have seen drivers of brand new BMWs stopped and their vehicles scrutinised for infringements - I do not know what the police were looking for but one of the motorists have told me that they could see that only expensive cars were being pulled over and that the officer looked like he wanted to extract a bribe."
Public Servant said that he was considering taking his virtual campaign to real world action.
"Well the only real world action I've been thinking of is a petition against the new tolling system in Johannesburg. Yes, I am from GP. This is just a communication site so I have not had anything in mind."
He has also established a register for stolen items that will enable users to check whether an item they intend to purchase is stolen.
"As I have said in the website - Government actually gains a lot of taxes when we have to replace stolen items so they would not be willing to curb crime - or am I mistaken?"
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