AA welcomes blue light rebuke

2008-11-20 14:08

Durban - The driving conduct of VIP escorts and police officers is likely to come under closer scrutiny after Camperdown magistrate Thys Taljaard's remarks on Wednesday, the Automobile Association said on Thursday.

On denying bail to Hlanganani Nxumalo, the magistrate stressed that those escorting government officials were not above the law.

Taljaard said it was distressing to note that escorts were policemen meant to uphold the law and not break it.

Nxumalo is alleged to have shot the tyre of a Mazda on the N3, near Camperdown, on Saturday morning.

The Mazda driver lost control, veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a bakkie. Of the six people in each car, eight were injured.

Blue light bullies

AA public affairs head Rob Handfield-Jones, welcomed the comments.

The AA had struggled for years to get action against "blue light bullies".

"The magistrate's remarks prior to denying bail are a timeous reminder that public officials should serve citizens, not endanger them."

Handfield-Jones said it was likely that driving conduct of other VIP teams would now also come under closer scrutiny, and that the era of police disregarding road rules "at a whim" would draw to a close.

- SAPA