Coming up on
Special Assignment:
Episode Title: Smile, You're On Camera!
Broadcast date: Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Tongiht's Special Assignment is the result of a month-long investigation into provincial traffic law enforcement agencies. The show finds that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) in particular, is raking in millions a month from ‘questionable’ traffic fines.
With more than 900 000 traffic accidents and 14 500 deaths recorded on our roads annually, traffic law enforcement officials in the city appear more interested in turning a profit, than increasing road safety.
The investigation finds a state of shambles in the JMPD: undertrained metro cops, sub-standard equipment, illegal trapping, and the illegal use of speed cameras - also known as ‘weapons of mass persecution.’
The documentary asks: are provincial authorities guilty of using speed cameras as a cash cow? How ethical is the practice of having private companies ‘donate’ speed camera equipment and fuel for JMPD cars? The department now faces criminal charges for issuing fraudulent traffic fines.
The documentary is produced by Peter Moyo.
Special Assignment is on SABC on Tuesdays at 20h31.