We will arrest PigSpotter - cops
2010-09-15 15:37
Petro-Anne Morkel, News24
Cape Town - Johannesburg metro police are determined to arrest a Twitter user known as PigSpotter for warning motorists about roadblocks and speed traps.
According to PigSpotter’s bio, he “expose(s) where cops are hiding, trapping and roadblocking daily… Watch this space”.
He also tends to use the analogy of a pig when referring to metro police. On Wednesday he tweeted: “Pork strips trapping on Great North road”. In an earlier tweet he said: “Bacon stopping cars in the service rd between Woodmead and Marlboro”.
PigSpotter, also known as Cliff, has been informing motorists in Johannesburg of where and when there are roadblocks or temporary speed traps; something he doesn’t think is illegal.
‘Definitely illegal’
However, metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar told News24 that what PigSpotter is doing is “definitely illegal”.
“He will be arrested even if he stops tweeting now,” said Minnaar. “He can be charged with obstructing or defeating justice."
Police have information regarding PigSpotter that they are currently following up on, said Minnaar.
Minnaar added that PigSpotter’s tweets enable drunk drivers and criminals to avoid police detection.
“Firstly, people under the influence of liquor can avoid roadblocks and cause accidents on the road. Secondly, criminals can plan their activities around the roadblocks to avoid arrest and commit serious crimes."
Minnaar added that roadblocks play a very important part in the capture of criminals. “Just last week we arrested over 100 drunk drivers in Johannesburg… and awhile back a very serious criminal wanted for a crash-in-transit (heist) was arrested at a roadblock with an AK-47 in his possession.”
Change of heart
PigSpotter has stated on his Twitter page that he will no longer tweet after 18:00. “I do not report roadblocks after 6pm to avoid drunk drivers getting away from cops. I am against drunk driving,” he wrote.
During an interview with 702’s Kieno Kammies on Wednesday, Cliff said he tweets the whereabouts of roadblocks to protect people from “victimisation” and corrupt metro police who want bribes.
He also said that metro police should be in plain sight, not hiding behind a car or a tree, when they use mobile speed traps.
When News24 asked Minnaar whether it was illegal for metro police to hide when they use mobile speed traps he said “no such law exists”.
“We will never condone (corruption or victimisation) by metro officers,” he said. He appealed to the public to report corrupt officers by phoning 0800 203 712.
During the radio interview, Cliff promised Kammies that he would no longer tweet about road blocks in exchange for the opportunity to speak about police corruption on the show once a week. “I have exchanged the right to expose roadblocks, for a spot on 702 to expose police corruption,” he tweeted.
He still, however, lets his 6 581 followers know the whereabouts of mobile speed traps. One of his latest tweets state: “Kermit's fat lady sitting near the bus stop bench on Beyers Naude near World Wear going south - opposite Peugeot dealership.”
- Follow Petro on Twitter
