THE "blue light" VIP escort driver - whose passenger allegedly shot out the tyre of a vehicle travelling near Pietermaritzburg last year - has been charged with six attempted murders.

THE "blue light" VIP escort driver - whose passenger allegedly shot out the tyre of a vehicle travelling near Pietermaritzburg last year - has been charged with six attempted murders.

Constable Caiphas Xolani Ndlela was driving the VIP protection vehicle when his passenger Constable Hlanganani Nxumalo allegedly caused an accident in which six people were injured - on November 15 2008.

Nxumalo is accused of shooting the second vehicle's tyre, causing the vehicle to swerve across the N3 highway and collide with a third car.

Ndlela and Nxumalo appeared in the Pietermaritzburg regional court yesterday, where the former was also charged with reckless and negligent driving.

Regional magistrate Chris van Vuuren adjourned the case to August 28 to allow the accused's lawyer to obtain statements made by state witnesses.

Nxumalo is out on bail but Ndlela was released on his own recognisance. - Sapa