@Pigspotter : Hero or Villian of the Twitterverse?

IOL News called him " ... the talk of the town ... ".

My Digital Life asked the question "If @pigspotter's actions results in preventing a crime from being committed (Speeding, traffic infringements) then surely what he is doing is legal."

On Friday (2010-09-17), Johannesburg Metro Police laid a charge against @Pigspotter. 

According to the Mail & Guardian,  his charges include " ... crimen injuria, defeating the ends of justice and defamation of character ...".

This comes as no surprise as earlier in the week Metro Police spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar, in an interview with News24, had threatened to arrest for the said charges.

During the past week, local and international media (TimesLive,  Newser.com, India Times, Herald Sun, Earth Times), online and otherwise have carried this story. With all this attention, @Pigspotter now has 15 101 followers compared to the 6 000 followers he had on Twitter at the beginning of the week.

The reality is that this is no longer a one man issue but has become voice for the dissatisfaction South Africans have with their police force in general. One only has to briefly glance at Pig Spotter's Twitter page to see this.

The general public is actively contributing to the tweets that Cliff (aka @Pigspotter) makes.

The Twitterverse's response to the news that charges have been laid against Pig Spotter has been phenomenal. 
These are some of the tweets:

1.   Mokola_coza :
   
   
   
   So #JMPD has laid charges against #Pigspotter? Wonder If they have laid any charges lately against all the corrupt #JMPD cops. #JMPD sucks.
   
2.   shona
   
   
   
   @pigspotter #pigspotter cops on rivonia onramp south, sandton side.   
3.   freshfishjhb
   
   
   
   Saturday Star Headline; "PIGSPOTTER ROASTED" If our mate @pigspotter is done-for then lets use #pigspotter instead. YES/NO? 
4.   mikestopforth
   
   
   
   if we keep updating #PigSpotter or replying @PigSpotter with updates do we also get charged? #incomparablystupid --> http://is.gd/fgfF0 
   
5.   LewEvil
   
   
   
   It's a sad day for freedom of speech. We'll be toy-toying outside the court! Viva @pigspotter #pigspotter 

Clearly, should he get prosecuted the "Robinhood" effect will come into effect and the twitter masses will carry on the torch. How the @Pigspotter saga is going to end, one cannot tell but one thought keeps popping up in my mind. 

One should never underestimate the power of social media, especially if the issue in question resonates with the general public. - TMH