Minister challenged on speeding
2007-03-27 21:12
Cape Town - Transport Minister Jeff Radebe was challenged on Tuesday to say why he thought he was "empowered to endanger the lives of other road users by speeding".
The challenge was issued by Inkatha Freedom Party chief whip Koos van der Merwe during debate in the national assembly on the transport budget vote.
Van der Merwe referred to media reports of Radebe's return to Pretoria by car in December last year, after an event in Cullinan at which the minister warned his audience that 75% of motor accidents were the result of speeding.
"Immediately after he issued the warning, his cavalcade allegedly sped back to Pretoria at a speed far higher than 150km/h. Can you believe this?" Van der Merwe asked, to laughter from the house.
He told members he had laid a complaint with the public protector, "because of the allegations against him (Radebe) of disobeying traffic laws, causing a serious danger to other road users, and setting a bad example".
The public protector was now investigating the complaint.
Smiled at accusation
"The minister may be assured, that if the public protector finds he (Radebe) was a party to the contravention of the country's traffic laws, criminal charges will be laid against the minister and his driver.
Radebe sat smiling while Van der Merwe spoke.
"He can smile today, but he won't smile when the police take him to court for speeding," Van der Merwe said, provoking further laughter from MPs.
He said there were many "so-called VIP people" doing the same thing.
"I'm sure members have all experienced the car passing you on the left, across the yellow line, speeding up to 180km/h, contravening traffic laws and endangering lives.
"They cross solid white lines, they push motorists off the road, and the minister (Radebe) sits there laughing at us - he should be ashamed!
Minister challenged
"I hereby challenge the honourable minister to motivate why he and other VIPs think that they are empowered to endanger the lives of other road users by speeding.
"I challenge the honourable minister to announce that he and the government will put a stop to this reckless and dangerous practice of endangering the lives of our people by driving at 150km/h," he said.
Later, Radebe told MPs he "can not respond now to this incident".
- SAPA