Another Gauteng blue light convoy assault
9 September 2014
Johannesburg Metro Police members forming part of a blue light convoy for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa allegedly assaulted a road user for no reason.
On Friday 5 September at approximately 12h45, Bernard Venter was traveling as a passenger in a car with a colleague in the Midrand area. They had stopped at a red traffic light and were passed by a blue light convoy which continued through the red light towards Grand Central Airport.
Mr Venter and the driver pulled off when the light turned green and were stopped by four Metro police officers on motorcycles. One motorbike parked so close to the driver's door that it could not be opened.
Mr Venter made a questioning hand gesture to ask what was going on and an officer got off his bike and proceeded to pull open the passenger door saying "wie die fok dink jy is jy?" and then allegedly punched Mr Venter with a closed fist and split his lip.
Click here to view photos of Mr Venter's injuries
Mr Venter climbed out of the vehicle in a submissive manner and the metro officers continued to pull, push and swear at him. When Mr Venter requested the name of one of the officers, the officer replied "My naam is jou ma se poes".
The registration numbers of two of these Metro bikes are: CFO 505 GP and CFO MZ GP.
The two men were then told to meet the officers at Grand Central Airport. When they arrived there, the officers were not in sight. Upon questioning airport security staff they were told the convoy was transporting Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Charges have been laid against these officers by the victim.
It is unacceptable that officers meant to uphold the law behave in this arrogant and bullying manner. Their behaviour must not be condoned and they should be suspended immediately.
I will be following up on the criminal case with Provincial Commissioner Lesetja Mothiba to ensure this case is properly investigated.
On an ongoing basis I have called for the ANC in Gauteng to ban the use of blue lights on convoys. They are unnecessary and are a danger to other road users. Not just for the way in which they use the road but for the bully-boy tactics that are used by the members of the attached security detail.
The ANC have on a number of occasions blocked an anti-blue light motion from being debated in the Gauteng Legislature.
Bernard Venter now joins Thomas Ferreira, Aslam Ibrahim, Hilda Phaka and countless others who have become victims of the senseless and dangerous blue light convoys in Gauteng.
Statement issued by Kate Lorimer MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety, September 9 2014
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