You’ve seen the image above, no doubt, countless times since the protest that took place at Parliament in Cape Town last week Thursday.

It captured, more than anything taken on the ground, the immense scale of what was taking place – estimates of around 10 000 people gathering to demand change from government, in the wake of a series of brutal rapes and murders that brought to light the extent of gender-based violence in South Africa.

Take a minute to watch Carte Blanche’s report on the protest at Parliament and subsequent police brutality towards protesters.

The shot, taken by a self-described Cape Town-based ‘brand strategist and creative’, using a drone, has now caught the attention of aviation regulators, reports Business Insider.

We won’t mention his name, or link to his profiles, although the image was widely shared across social media platforms.

A stunning drone photograph of a protest against gender violence in Cape Town could land the pilot with jail time or a R50,000 fine.

The image was taken over Parliament, which is a national key point and a no-fly zone. The drone that took it may also have violated a formal notice  (coded A3365/19 NOTAMNQ) that restricted any flying within a 1.82 kilometre radius of the Cape Town International Convention Centre last week, where several heads of state attended the World Economic Forum.

Business Insider

Flying in restricted airspace, and over groups of people, requires special clearance. Business Insider South Africa understands that the image has drawn the attention of the South Africa Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), which regulates drones in South Africa, and could also be the subject of a police investigation.

You’ve got to note the attention and resources that go into potentially prosecuting a civilian who took a picture of a protest, while at the same time the police can’t get it together to follow the proper procedure when it comes to a rape or murder case.

Any commercial benefit from such a photo could also land the photographer in even more hot water as he would require a Remote Pilot Licence, said Sean Reitz, head of the Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Association of South Africa (CUAASA) that represents commercial drone pilots.

But there is no direct way to charge someone with flying a drone unlawfully, Reitz said, which may mean criminal charges are brought under legislation intended to prevent acts of terrorism.

Drone pilots have complained that the SACAA is not issuing pilot licences fast enough, and the application process can take up to three years.

Don’t get me wrong – drone regulations are there for a reason, and I agree that drone use should be regulated.

That said, a lot of effort went into protecting the politicians at the CTICC and Parliament last week, even if that meant police brutality had to be used against protesting women and children.

This feels like potentially more of the same.

[source:businessinsider]