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After that outrageous footage did the rounds of Deputy President Paul Mashateile’s VIP protection service members beating up some poor motorists on a Johannesburg highway, South Africans are questioning whether the infamous ‘Blue Light Brigades’ should even still exist.

The details around the incident – which took place on the N1 in Johannesburg, involving two blacked-out BMW SUVs and the boxed car of three civilians – are still unclear, but it has been confirmed that the people attacked by the blue light brigade are members of the SANDF. Mashatile was not even travelling with them at the time of the incident so their antics seem even more unwarranted.

Although SAPS released a statement to denounce the behaviour shown in the video, stating that it does not reflect the department’s values or code of conduct, South Africans are demanding more action.

As BusinessTech reported, the behaviour of the Blue Light Brigade should be condemned.

Willem Groenewald, the CEO of the Automobile Association (AA), said that issues regarding blue light bridges have existed for years. “In early 2022, we noted our deep concerns about the so-called Blue Light Brigades and the threat they pose to road users. They are aggressive towards other drivers, often pushing them off the road to ensure their convoy has easy passage – many times through heavy traffic,” said Groenwald.

“We noted then, as we do again here, that anecdotal evidence points to members screaming at other motorists, showing their firearms to other motorists to intimidate them, and generally being belligerent when on the road.”

As it stands, Blue Light Brigades are allowed to disobey certain road rules (within reason), but that shouldn’t mean that they are above the law:

Section 58(3) of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) permits drivers of emergency vehicles, such as traffic officers and duly authorised drivers, as well as a “person appointed in terms of the South African Police Service Act who drives a vehicle in the carrying out of his or her duties” to disregard the directions of a road traffic sign displayed in the prescribed manner.

Regulation 176 of the NRTA further states that drivers on the road are supposed to give an absolute right of way to a vehicle sounding a device or bell or displaying an identification lamp.

However, as Groenewald argues, when the safety of other motorists and people on the road is completely disregarded, that becomes a major problem.

Speaking to ENCA, Stefanie Fick, the executive director of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) said that assaulting someone on the road and creating danger by standing in the middle of a freeway is not a justification for their duties.

Fick said another issue has arisen where there is a trust deficit between citizens and law enforcement, with people questioning the reason behind fancy BMWs speeding and pushing other road users aside.

“Because we have seen stuff like this, there is a trust deficit. Therefore the question arises, should I move out of their way – are they abusing their power, or are they doing so with a purpose?”

When it comes to whether or not people should move over on the freeway when a Blue Light Brigade appears behind them, Fick said that you should do so and not try and take the law into your own hands. But that is under normal circumstances. If you suspect foul play, you must report them, said the director.

It doesn’t matter what fancy person the BLB is escorting, it should not come at the expense of regular civilians. Except it kind of does, with the VIP protection services costing taxpayers a fair penny, notes News24:

The VIP protection unit – a unit within the police’s protection services programme, along with static protection (protection at key points) – received a budget of R1.9 billion this year out of the police’s protection services budget of R3.7 billion. In contrast, the Hawks, which investigates high-profile cases, only received an allocation of R2.2 billion.

After much public outrage, Vukani Mde, the spokesperson for Mashatile, said that the national commissioner of the SAPS, Fanie Masemola, has promised a thorough investigation of the incident. Four of the VIP service members have also apparently been suspended.

Meanwhile, political parties, lobby groups, experts and activist organisations are calling for stricter action against officers in the unit.

[source:businesstech]