Latest blue light bullying incidents in Mpumalanga part of disturbing nationwide trend
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is saddened by the death of a pedestrian in Mpumalanga, allegedly at the hands of blue light bullies for Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Clifford Mukansi.
We understand that on Friday 21 May, the MEC's driver allegedly knocked down a pedestrian on the R40, about 5km outside Malalane. This follows a similar incident last week, when the MEC of Education, Regina Mhaule's driver apparently nearly drove a citizen off the road. The driver of the other vehicle was alarmed by what had taken place, and followed the MEC's vehicle, right up to the gates of the SABC's premises, only to be told by the driver that the MEC was late for an interview.
And these two incidents, in turn, appear to be just the latest in a series of major blue lights incidents nationwide:
- In June 2008, an 84 year old motorist who was deemed a ‘threat' by a VIP officer on Jacob Zuma's armed convoy, who apparently fired three shots at the vehicle.
- In November 2008, a VIP officer attached to the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC's security detail shot the tyre of a Mazda, after it apparently ‘did not move quickly enough out of the way', causing a head-on collision with a bakkie. At least six other people were injured, but the driver simply sped off.
- In January 2009, a VIP officer on Kgalema Motlanthe's cavalcade shot an unarmed motorist. He was accused of ‘getting too close' to Motlanthe's car in the traffic. Officers then took material from a SABC cameraman who had recorded part of the incident, and deleted it.
- In April 2009, a VIP unit officer on his way to collect the Mayor of Msunduzi spat in the eye of a woman motorist.
- Then in February this year, a Cape Town man was arrested at gun point, had a bag thrown over his head, and was detained at length, without charge, at the hands of Jacob Zuma's cavalcade.
These are just some of the more notorious incidents. In January 2009 my colleague in the National Legislature Dianne Kohler Barnard MP appealed for the public to report incidents of blue light bullying and was inundated with reports. The fact is, the bullies continue to act without a care in the world, and the impact is that the lives of ordinary South Africans - pedestrians and drivers - have been placed in severe jeopardy.
A criminal investigation must now take place into this incident, and those who are responsible for the death of a pedestrian must be brought to book if they are found to be acting negligently. It is simply inexcusable that accidents continue to be caused by politicians who are apparently always ‘running late', endangering the lives of innocent people.
We will pose regular parliamentary questions to track the progress of the criminal case that needs to be conducted into this matter. That case needs to establish not just whether the driver, but also whether the MEC, may be culpable.
The blue light bullies need to be reined in, and the best way to begin is by holding those who are guilty of errant behaviour responsible for their actions. I will be asking my colleague Dianne Kohler Barnard to pose questions in Parliament surrounding these events and what action will be taken against the perpetrators.
Statement issued by Anton Benadie, MPL, Democratic Alliance Mpumalanga leader, May 26 2010
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