×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Blue light convoy a danger to society

THE bully brigade are destroying lives - and our democracy.

On Friday, November 18, I signed the petition by Justice Project South Africa (JPSA) to ban the use of blue lights by security teams transporting politicians.

In so doing, I joined over 13000 South Africans who had already signed the petition at that point.

Public anger toward these speeding convoys - known as the "blue light bullies" - has become a national outcry. Enough is enough!

There have been numerous incidents of blue light bully brigades recklessly ignoring the law on our roads in contravention of the National Road Traffic Act, which states that blue lights may only be used in cases of emergency.

This provision is clearly being abused by self-important ministers and MECs, who think being late for a meeting or missing a flight constitutes an emergency.

It is just bad planning.

The latest tragedy in which matric pupil Thomas Ferreira, who is still in a coma after sustaining severe head and other injuries when he was hit by the official car of Gauteng MEC for Local Government and Housing, Humphrey Mmemezi, (which was jumping a red robot) is one of many documented cases of power abuse and lawlessness. Here are some others:

  • In June 2008, a VIP officer in Jacob Zuma's armed convoy fired three shots at the vehicle of an 84-year-old motorist, who was deemed a "threat".
  • In November 2008, a VIP officer attached to the KZN Social Development MEC's security detail, shot the tyre off a Mazda that did not move out of his way quickly enough, causing a head-on collision with a bakkie. At least six people were injured, but the MEC's driver simply sped off.
  • In January 2009, a VIP officer in Kgalema Motlanthe's cavalcade shot an unarmed motorist after he "got too close" in the traffic, and officers subsequently seized and deleted material from an SABC cameraman who recorded part of the incident.
  • In April 2009, a VIP unit officer on his way to collect the m ayor of Msunduzi, spat in the eye of a woman motorist.
  • In February 2010, UCT student Chumani Maxwele was arrested at gunpoint by President Zuma's VIP unit and detained for 24 hours because he allegedly gestured at the President's motorcade.
  • In October, the South African Human Rights Commission found police had violated Maxwele's rights by arresting and detaining him. In March 2010, I wrote to President Jacob Zuma requesting an urgent meeting regarding the abuse of power by blue light bullies on our roads after the arrest of Maxwele, and a separate incident involving an assault on journalist Tshepo Lesole by the President's VIP security unit.

The Presidency acknowledged receipt of my letter, but never acceded to the request for a meeting. After the Ferreira incident, I again wrote to President Zuma asking for his urgent intervention to put a stop to this lawlessness and force his cabinet to comply with the law. I have not yet received a response.

These incidents and apparent lack of concern by government, reflect a disregard for the rule of law and contempt for the public.

They are confident of being voted in at every election, so why should they worry about what citizens think? But the tide is turning fast, and President Zuma must take action before more people are hurt. People are increasingly realising that their vote is the voice a politician cannot ignore.

In the Western Cape, we have already taken steps to ban the use of blue lights by all government officials, including national ministers visiting the province, except in genuine emergencies.

Last year, our provincial cabinet passed a resolution which ordered that all blue lights and sirens be removed from the vehicles of provincial ministers. This was completed by Government Motor Transport on 24 November 24 2010.

The Western Cape government is also in the process of repealing the existing Provincial Road Traffic Act, which needs to be replaced due to the passage of both the National Land Transport Transition Act ("NLTTA", 2000) and National Land Transport Act ("NLTA", 2009).

The replacement of the provincial Act will allow the Western Cape Minister for Transport and Public Works to create regulations for the province within the structures of Section 146 of the Constitution.

These regulations are intended to promote road safety and will include banning the use of blue lights by all government officials, except in genuine emergencies.

The recommended processes on how to proceed when it comes to drafting this replacement Act, will appear before the provincial cabinet for consideration and approval this month. We believe the new regulations governing the use of blue lights will go a long way toward stopping the current abuse of power by VIP convoys.

Apart from the serious danger they pose to the public, blue light bullies are also a sign that politicians believe they are above the law. This attitude erodes democracy.

People in powerful positions must be the first to respect the law and lead by example. Blue lights have become a symbol of power abusers; the "Big Man" who believes power and authority are vested in his or her person, not in the office he or she temporarily occupies.

It is time for South Africans to show these self-styled and arrogant "celebrities" that they should be frightened of citizens, who will not hesitate to remove them from office if they abuse the power they were temporarily lent by the voters.

  • Zille is the Premier of the Western Cape

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.