They must be referring to that outrageous footage that did the rounds in July last year of Deputy President Paul Mashateile’s VIP protection service members beating up some poor motorists on a Jozi highway. Since then South Africans have been questioning whether the infamous ‘Blue Light Brigades’ should even still exist.

Willem Groenewald, the CEO of the Automobile Association (AA), said then 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.”

Aggressive bodyguards aren’t the only blue-light hazard on the roads; these convoys often speed well above the limit, weaving in and out of traffic like they own the place.

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

The AA recently said it is still receiving numerous complaints from members about these high-speed motorcades, per IOL.