The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has sent Twitter traffic celebrity PigSpotter’s docket back to the police for further investigation, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

“We are optimistic about the DPP’s response. However, we still await their final decision,” his lawyer Karl Schuler told the South African Press Association.

The Johannesburg metro police laid a charge against PigSpotter in September for warning motorists about speed traps.

The Twitter user — who faced charges of crimen injuria and obstructing and defeating the ends of justice — made representations to the DPP through his lawyer about three weeks ago.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions has informed us the matter will be referred back to the police for further investigation,” said Schuler.

In the meantime, Pigspotter, whose identity has not been made public, continued with his tweets about “Police in Gauteng” — or PIGs — as he refers to the law enforcement officials.

Pigspotter — who now has over 24 000 followers — tweeted more than 80 times between 10am on Monday and 10am on Tuesday.

One of these included an announcement that he was now selling T-shirts for R100 with the words, “Have you hugged a P.I.G. today?”.

Brand and reputation analysis company Ornico said on Monday that he had received editorial coverage worth over half a million rand in one week.

His response: “The party has only just begun. Watch this space.” – Sapa