Law-abiding But Concerned Resident of Van Riebeeck Park writes:
The article in Kempton Express, Report lockdown offenders (April 9), refers.
The rationale for many – probably most – of the restrictions imposed by Government as part of its national state of disaster lockdown are doubtless well understood and accepted by the majority of the population.
Yes, some restrictions may present citizens with some inconveniences, but perhaps better to be inconvenienced than dead.
However, I personally am (and possibly many other readers will be) somewhat concerned by the “report non-compliance” instruction given in the article under reference.
Where there are obvious breaches of the lockdown rules – such as street braais or parties, large groups of people congregating together, and so on – then reporting such to the authorities would perhaps be understandable.
However, let us consider the “nosy-parker” resident, peering from behind his or her curtains or blinds, watching someone walking or driving by – how is he or she going to know the purpose of that person’s journey? That person may be on the way to do some “essential shopping” or visiting a pharmacy or medical professional – the “nosy-parker” has no way of knowing.
The question then arises, how does the “nosy-parker” prove the breach of the regulations? Does he or she take photographs of the offenders? Is it lawful to do that? How would the authorities trace the so-called offenders?
Perhaps via vehicle number plates. But someone in authority (eg metro police officers) responding perhaps an hour or two later, it could well be that the offender(s) has/have long gone. And would the details of the complainant be revealed (or have to be revealed) to the offender(s)?
The idea is laudable, but surely smacks of the Stasi which operated in East Germany during the days of the Berlin Wall (August 1961-November 1989), when residents were encouraged to “snitch” on not only neighbours and colleagues but family members as well, for expressing thoughts and opinions, as well as actual deeds.
Let us hope that the Brigadiers, Colonels, and Captains named in the article don’t get many calls.
