'VIP driver must be charged'
2008-11-19 10:00
Durban - Ahead of the court appearance of a VIP protection team member of a KwaZulu-Natal MEC, the Democratic Alliance has called for the prosecution of "his accomplice".
Radley Keys, the party's provincial spokesperson for transport, said the VIP driver should face the same charges as the accused because he was an "accessory to the fact".
Constable Hlanganani Nxumalo, 28, faces eight attempted murder charges after allegedly shooting out the tyre of a Mazda on the N3 near Camperdown on Saturday morning.
The driver lost control of the car, veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a bakkie.
There were six people in each car. Eight of them were injured. Said Keys: "While the driver was arrested for not stopping at the scene of the crime, he has not been charged as an accomplice.
'Arrogant attitude' of MECs and VIP staff
"He and the VIP member must have been in cahoots as the driver would have had to slow down to allow the VIP member to fire the shots at the vehicle driven on the N3 near Pietermaritzburg."
He said the incident was indicative of the "arrogant attitude" displayed by the provincial MECs and their VIP staff.
"The DA demands an explanation as to why the VIP driver has not been charged with attempted murder as well the other charges his accomplice is facing."
In response, police spokesperson Superintendent Henry Budhram said police were busy with investigations at this stage.
"The possibility that the driver may be charged cannot be ruled out at this time," he said.
Nxumalo, who is in police custody, is to appear at the Camperdown Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
- SAPA