MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO: ALL NEWS EDITORS
SUBJECT: "PIGSPOTTER" - JPSA's OFFICIAL STANCE
ISSUED BY: JUSTICE PROJECT SOUTH AFRICA
DATE OF ISSUE: THURDSAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2010

JOHANNESBURG – The recent “explosion” onto the scene of a person calling himself “PigSpotter” who is using Twitter to “tweet” the location of hidden, mobile speed cameras has caused quite a stir lately. Yesterday, JPSA was asked whether it supports this initiative and has offered comment on the matter, however, we feel it incumbent on us to clarify completely our stance on the matter.

Legality & morality of the Tweet and what it is reporting on

A significant amount of emotional outburst has emanated from the emergence of the “PigSpotter's” activities, with people from both sides of the argument taking very strong stances. There are two distinctly different facets to the “PigSpotter's” activities and these must be very clearly and distinctly separated.

•   Reporting/Notification of the location of traffic enforcement road blocks and
•   Reporting/Notification of the location of hidden and clandestine “speed enforcement” operations.

Roadblocks

This activity, which has reportedly now been voluntarily stopped is morally, legally and socially reprehensible, not to mention being highly irresponsible.

Supervised roving roadblocks, designed to check the roadworthiness of vehicles and drivers, including but not limited to alcohol and drug testing operations is a vital tool in combatting road fatalities and absolutely needs to be intensified by traffic authorities.

There is a significant difference between these roadblocks and those set up to check for “outstanding fines” and whilst the latter is significantly more common and may be what may have caused the matter to be reported on in the first place, the mere existence of the former is essential and it is clear that more focus must be placed on true law enforcement activities.

Whilst it is certainly true that abuses of people do take place at some of the roadblock operations, particularly those designed to collect fine revenues as well as the informal ones that are set up by some corrupt law enforcement officials to solicit bribes, this cannot be used as a valid argument to justify the reporting of roadblock locations.

Anyone who thinks that it is clever to report the location of formal roadblocks of any shape or description to anyone else is clearly contributing to criminality and must be stopped. JPSA strongly condemns this behaviour and will not support anyone who engages in these activities.

Covert mobile camera speed enforcement

The trend of setting up mobile covert mobile camera “speed enforcement” operations has taken firm root in South Africa in a big way and contributes Billions of Rands to municipality and private enterprise coffers annually. Anyone who tries to deny that the intent of these operations is solely for the generation of massive income is fooling themselves since not one speeding motorist gets stopped in any of these operations. This includes motorists who are trapped doing in excess of double or triple the speed limit. This contributes nothing whatsoever to road safety.

Hiding away and using camouflage tactics to set these operations up is commonplace and further goes to prove that the intent is to “trap” and generate funds, rather than to slow traffic down. However, the “PigSpotter” and followers are grossly misinformed that this practice is in any way illegal. The fact is that there is no legislation which prohibits hiding, but there are operational guidelines that stipulate how and where such equipment may be used. It is these guidelines that are regularly flouted by operators of this equipment and this can have significant impact on the accuracy of the equipment.

In our opinion, authorities such as the JMPD and their contractors have brought the “PigSpotter's” actions on themselves by constantly chasing revenue instead of actually enforcing speed limits. Reporting the location of these, often incredibly hidden activities serves two purposes – slowing people down – albeit just in the reported area and exposing the lengths to which authorities and their “contractors” will go to drive revenue streams.

When it comes to fixed speed and red light cameras, it is astounding that authorities such as the Sedibeng traffic department (Vereeniging) has begun painting their cameras and the poles on which they are mounted bright yellow whilst the vast majority of others go to extreme lengths to camouflage them by painting them dull green or grey and often hiding them behind trees and the like. JPSA applauds Sedibeng on their initiative and hopes that all fixed and mobile cameras will soon be highly visible to slow motorists down.

Use of derogatory terms

Using derogatory terms such as “pigs, bacon, Kermit's girlfriend” etc. is unnecessary and childish and must be discouraged.

What most people do not realise is that the officers involved in covert mobile camera speed prosecutions exercises often hide away to avert retaliatory action, such as throwing bricks and other dangerous objects at them by irate and criminal motorists. Their locations are ordered by their superiors and they have no choice but to follow orders – or lose their jobs. Many of these officers despise what they have to do, but they have no choice in the matter and it is unreasonable in the extreme for anyone to want to exact revenge on them personally.

Solutions to the problem

The threats of arrest and prosecution of the “PigSpotter” by the JMPD only serve to create a “Robin Hood” scenario and the massive media exposure and the resultant huge following of the “PigSpotter” that has ensued has had exactly the opposite effect to what the authorities should have tried to achieve. With being “Robin Hood” comes responsibility and the “PigSpotter” has a moral and social obligation to stop spreading misinformation (illegal trapping) and avoid aiding criminality by reporting on roadblocks and other legitimate law enforcement activities.

Everyone in South Africa needs to understand that speed limits are mostly there for a reason and they need to start obeying speed limits.

The only way this will happen is if the authorities revert to pulling speedsters off at the time of the offence and dealing with them appropriately – by fining or prosecuting them. Stop the ridiculous situation of viewing camera speed fine income as a justifiable budgetary revenue stream and you will stop the likes of the “PigSpotter” from even having a semi-justifiable argument.

JPSA's Role

It is hereby recorded that Justice Project South Africa only became aware of the activities of the “PigSpotter” on Wednesday 15 September 2010 when its National Chairman was contacted for comment. JPSA has NO INVOLVEMENT OR ASSOCIATION WHATSOEVER with the “PigSpotter”  and would never condone or become involved in the spreading of misinformation. If we could get hold of the “PigSpotter” we would correct his misconceptions and engage in an education process with him and his followers.

JPSA IS NOT a “motorists rights group”, even though it is integrally involved in engaging with traffic law enforcement agencies and Government to ensure that abuses of power and corrupt activities are curbed. Our actions and engagements are always strictly legal and we never engage in unprofessional or illegal activities. We have more than sufficient evidence to back up our claims and this comes from high level enforcement authorities, amongst others.

JPSA also assists victims of abusive enforcers if there is sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that abuse of power has taken place.  In no way does JPSA support criminality – no matter which side of the law enforcement spectrum it may come.

We take what we do very seriously and believe that there is a vital need for our existence if South Africa is to stand any chance of not descending into a lawless, criminal and Police state. Despite the sometimes unbelievable odds being stacked up in sticking to our ethos and code of conduct, we remain committed to ensuring that corruption and power abuse in South Africa is effectively tackles and, like with our involvement with AARTO, that legislation is applied as it should be – not in a slap dash fashion that causes harm.

Road safety initiatives from both, law enforcement and the public should be aimed at correcting driver behaviours and saving lives – not making money or striving to become a “hero”.

Best Regards,

Howard Dembovsky
National Chairman - Justice Project South Africa
“Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there” – Will Rogers
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 418 6210
Fax: +27 (0) 86 647 3293
Website: www.jp-sa.org
"Evil can only triumph where good people do nothing"