I was apprehended for taking photographs in a very modern (Africa standards) business mall in Pretoria, South Africa, called the Menlyn centre. I refused to quit taking photographs of staircases and other architectural features. I resisted being taken into custody and asked that the management explain to me why I was being treated like a criminal. Long story short, I exchanged mail witn their public relations and practically told them to go where it's a much warmer climate. The only (logical) reason they could supply me with was that criminals plan and do reconnaissance by taking photos. Yeah right! A "criminal" carrying a brick size Nikon of which the serial number could be photographed by the surveilance cameras a mile away...

I think most of these so called laws serve only one purpose and that's to jeopardize the law abiding citizen carrying a big camera whereas people can take photos with cell phones almost unnoticed.

Sad to know that freedom everywhere is curtailed by the very people who should protect it at all costs and rather address the CAUSE of the criminal acts causing headaches.

Piet Vermeulen, South Africa