By MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE
MBABANE – Private Investigator Hunter Shongwe has been arrested for using a spy aircraft without a valid licence or permit.
The gadget operates as a ‘floating’ camera and takes pictures of people and places without raising suspicion. The owner of such an aircraft operates it using a hand held remote control.
Shongwe was arrested by police officers from the Hhohho Serious Crimes Unit (Lukhozi) on Tuesday afternoon.
He is alleged to have contravened the Regulations of Aviation in that he operated the aircraft without having obtained a licence.
Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Wendy Hleta confirmed Shongwe’s arrest.
She said Shongwe is expected to appear before court today. Information gathered is that he is currently kept at the Mbabane Police Station.
According to the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority (SWACAA) Act of 2009, all people who need to fly an aircraft for whatever purpose are supposed to obtain a licence from SWACAA. This is the same gadget which Shongwe once alleged had gone missing while flying in the direction of Somhlolo National Stadium where members of the League of Churches were arriving for the Easter services.
The small aircraft was allegedly on a mission to record everything that was happening at the stadium and surrounding areas during the services. In a previous interview with the Times SUNDAY, Shongwe said that the spy aircraft was worth E20 000.
Comments
Rob, did you notice the Kings crops had been gathered in as well. Its a really pretty place,used to be somewhere that folks from here hopped across the border to gamble in when such things were frowned upon this side.
Hi Gary,
I did flick through the Swazi Times, wow that's a hotbed of intrigue and action, someone got married !!!
You have to put this one into context a few minutes with Google and you will find Hunter has been hacking off the Swazi great and good in other ways. I was rather hoping people would click through to the Swazi Times and get an insight into the goings on of a small African state. One that I can see on a clear day if I am flying high enough (manned)
@Aaron, thank you :). I think there should be a permit system much like there is for commercial filming where if you are going to film using a UAV for commercial purposes then a permit is required. But I don't feel that the ordinary user of a UAV should not have to obtain a licence. I think as long as the land you fly on allows RC things it should be free game. Luckily here in South Africa UAVs have not yet received too much attention, to the point where the news reports the use of them at events etc. I think one of the main problems with the public's perception of UAVs is that people call them "drones" and for some reason drones have a horrible name because people thing of them as ruthless killers that roam the sky hunting people. Our UAVs certainly aren't drones in the full sense and as a result cannot be treated like one. I see where problems could arise with the usage of UAVs where people could glance over walls using a multicopter, but surely a criminal's first approach to this would be a camera on a stick, it is silent and probably more stable. Instead of sinking R10000 ($1000) into a UAV system. Of course that doesn't negate the use of them for sinister means but isn't it quite the same situation as a helicopter flying over your house. Those people can take very nice high res pictures of your house if they liked and no one would bat an eye.
@John, I agree. surely the laws of privacy etc cover the use of UAVs too? Just because a camera can fly doesn't mean it is exempt from the law without laws that specifically pertain to them
Anyway, a second rant :) I am not ranting at you, if it seems that way. Just voicing my opinion.
There are few other places in the world where it is licensed hobby/recreational activity. E.g Qatar. where the license is approved and granted by local scientific club ( aeromodelling section).which comes under Min of sports & youth affairs. The instructor there evaluates your capability and grants license if you pass the test( nothing serious but license non the less). It started in year 2000 and before that it was banned hobby :(. Till date no cameras or any fancy works on your airframe is allowed.
Craig, that certainly was a bit of a rant. I don't think anyone is plotting to take our "normal RC things" away from you.
I do feel that we need a licensing system in place as soon as possible in the USA to ensure that those of us that have good reasons to to use drones for commercial purposes can do that. I will be one of those users, and I'm happy to go through a licensing process because I feel it will make the public safer. Drones are going to really take off in the next few years, and if we don't regulate them I can picture many scenarios in which they really could cause problems.
Of course, the worst possible outcome for everyone would be a complete ban on commerical use of UAVs, but there is no way anyone is going to ban "normal RC things".
Common sense does no apply here. It does not matter that all potential problems with regard to personal UAV's are already covered in existing laws governing privacy and restricted airspace etc.
UAV's is a hot topic at the moment, and the politicians are coming out of the woodwork to make a name for themselves, at the expense of a small minority (UAV enthusiasts like us).
This is really getting ridiculous soon we are going to need permits to fly normal RC things. People should really calm down and realise that there are far larger worries in the world than a camera on a quad. I agree that in this case where the guy was actually spying on people yes there should be some action but I should not need a permit to fly my quad in the park or at my flying field! People who don't understand what aerial vehicles don't realise the limitations such as it CAN'T magically spy on you without you noticing any more that a full size chopper. It CAN'T fly into your house and spy on you and it most definitely CAN'T intelligently follow you around! People confuse the predator drones that the US army has that cost billion of dollars with a recreational quad.
Anyway. That is my rant for the evening :)