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8 injured in 'blue light' shooting

by
2008-11-15 11:13

Durban - Eight people were injured after the tyre of a car was shot out by a passenger of a vehicle with a flashing blue light in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

Superintendent Henry Budhram said a black Mazda that was heading towards Durban was being followed by a police collision unit vehicle, when a black Volkswagen Golf with flashing blue lights sped up behind them.

The police vehicle pulled over to allow the Golf to pass, but "at that moment the driver of the Mazda could not pull over as he was passing a truck."

Budhram said that it is alleged that when the Mazda had then passed the truck and pulled over, a passenger in the Golf, which had dark tinted windows, wound down the window and shot the tyre of the Mazda.

"The driver of the Mazda lost control and his vehicle went into the oncoming traffic colliding with a bakkie in the north-bound lane."

Car sped off

He said that the Golf sped off and the police's collision unit vehicle could not catch up with it and the officers decided to render assistance to the injured.

Netcare 911 and ER24 reported that eight people were injured in the accident, four of whom were described as being in a serious condition.

Comment could not be immediately obtained from the driver of the Mazda, whose name and number are known to Sapa, as he was giving his statement to the police.

Budhram said: "It would appear to be a VIP vehicle." He said that the police's dog unit had been deployed and a spent cartridge was recovered from the accident scene.

KwaZulu-Natal transport spokesperson Nonkululeko Mbatha confirmed the incident, but could not immediately provide further details.

Rate this story:

John Williamson 11/15/2008 11:44:31 AM
Who the hell do these VIP drivers think they are.Thinking they are gods putting peoples lives at risk like this. This is absolutely rediculous that they act like this under the protection of a blue light. They need to be dealt with. Why the hell do the politicians involved also keep their mouths shut? Absolutely amazing.

Herman Gibson 11/15/2008 11:49:08 AM
These people should be charged with attempted murder. this is totally unacceptable. it is indeed incidents like this that will turn this country into a banana republic

John 11/15/2008 11:51:42 AM
This is shocking - they think they are above the law. I have had numerous encounters with the "blue lights" bulling me off the road or to change lanes. Even in cities, they take three lanes to to drive. I don't see why the should be given special treatment on our roads. Everyone in this country is meant to be equal. I love this country, but things like this, and being exposed to this sort of thing, make me think we are in for a very dull future.

justin van heerden 11/15/2008 11:56:01 AM
who in hell do these people think they are? what is the motivation behind the reckless way they drive? can they not drive at legal speeds. why must we give way to these idiots. to hell with them.

Nonku 11/15/2008 12:05:38 PM
Where is Mr Bheki Cele now? How does he put spin on this? He is always out criticizing the public when he should be protecting them when it comes to Blue Lights? I have been behind quite a few times on the N3, and he does force you to move. Grow up Mr Cele and the rest of the blue light team. Wake up and smell the coffee, this is not your own world to do what you think is necessary.

Quasar 11/15/2008 12:10:06 PM
Look around you - people think that every single thing in this country is "rightfully" theirs. Every other person that does not fit in ethnically is considered an unwelcome foreigner. This incident is just an extreme display of that attitude. It is impossible for them to realise the wrong in that attitude till they finally see the bad end-result to such a righteous looking policy.The fall of the ruling elite is at hand. This empire lasted from 1994 and I predict will end in 2009. Enough said.

Greg 11/15/2008 12:11:59 PM
This is utterly unacceptable. From my understanding these vehicles are used to transport VIP government officials. With this level of blatant disregard for the average South African citizen and foreigner alike, how can these individuals have the best interests of South Africa in mind? Were these individuals not appointed with a view to act in our best interests? Is this indicative of what we can expect of South Africa in the future?

Benzo 11/15/2008 12:17:04 PM
Why could the police not catch up?? Friends??

Clive 11/15/2008 12:36:20 PM
Charge the idiots with attempted murder.Nothing will come of this as there will be a cover up.Law abiding citizens have been assulted,shot at and abused in the past.Critics have been labeled racist for complaining.Now 8 people are victims of these thugs.

Konstantinos Dimitriades 11/15/2008 12:42:55 PM
It is time that this Blue Light fiasco which has been plaguing South Africa and especially KZN, be put to rest. BLue Lights should be disallowed and VIP's should be protected directly by the police who should be uniformed and whose vehicles should be easily identified thus making it harder for them to abuse their authority. Politics in South Africa is becoming very reminiscent of George Orwell's "Animal Farm" as regards these VIP's.

Melvern 11/15/2008 12:43:23 PM
I chalange the people responsible for this to contact me for a one on one discussion on this. I bet you are a lot of hooligans, rampaging africans. News24 do have my contact detail

Clive 11/15/2008 12:45:30 PM
These thugs have now done what we have feared all along,8 innocent people are injured.Why ?because some a..hole poltician decides that peoples lives are less important than attending a meeting/social/political event.In true S A fashion there will be a cover up.Disgusting !!

Juz 11/15/2008 12:48:03 PM
A colleague of mine who is close to some of these cowboy politicians, and has ridden with them under blue lights, says often they are simply on the way to 'dinner'! When he's asked them to slow-down, they tell him "you're from the farm', it's our turn now!" They are a bunch of thugs -not far removed from drug running gangsters. It's time for the ANC government to show some moral leadership - as this won't happen, we the victims of this intimidation must blockade the freeways!Watch this space!

Gatvol.. 11/15/2008 1:03:57 PM
I have also been in situations where a vip car wanted to pass while I'm passing slow traffic on the left lane. I will not risk my own life and make way if it's not permitted at the time. These vip must understand clearly, that if they shoot or threaten the life of the occupant, I will retreat with according action. This is called protecting yourself in a life dangering situation. So beware vip personnel, we will start taking matters in our own hands if your drivers think they and you are above the law.

japes 11/15/2008 1:17:36 PM
This is just more evidence of the Zanufication of the ANC who think they own South Africa, all its land, resources and all its citizens to be doled out to political pals. These ANC democratic pygmy politicians are no different to the African chief who shot a few of his subjects just to see how the explorer's gun worked.

LJ 11/15/2008 1:18:09 PM
I wouldn't even waste my time complaining I will fight fire with fire - next time a VIP convoy attempts to muscle me out of the way then they will have some serious bullet dodging to do from me.

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