VIP cops to be reprimanded

2008-11-19 22:33

Pietermaritzburg - KwaZulu-Natal's VIP drivers, who have earned notoriety for literally shooting motorists out of the fast lane on highways, will be told by the province's safety and security MEC as to how far their bad manners may extend.

This is according to Social Development MEC Meshack Radebe whose own VIP driver is accused of shooting the tyre of a motorist who was too slow in getting out of the fast lane.

Radebe said the provincial cabinet had discussed the incident in which driver Hlanganani Nxumalo is alleged to have shot out 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.

He said that KZN safety and security MEC Bheki Cele would be holding a meeting with all the VIP drivers to resolve issues.

"Cele is the responsible MEC who will have a meeting with the VIP drivers," he said.

Radebe made the statements as he visited the home of Nireshen Moonsmay, one of the injured passengers from the Mazda. All the Mazda passengers were at the house when Radebe arrived in a police convoy with several body guards.

Radebe and his head of department Bheki Nkosi apologised to the family for the incident.

Radebe accused opposition parties of politicising the incident.

"A life could have been lost. When the creator made us, he did not make us as UDM, IFP or DA. He made us as human beings. They (the opposition parties) don't show sympathy."

Both the opposition Inkatha Freedom Party and Democratic Alliance have condemned Radebe and the DA has called for his dismissal.

- SAPA