“The message from official personnel is that their passengers are more important than other road users and that the public must simply yield or face personal attack.”
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.
South Africans have been recounting horror stories of extortion, guns, and life-threatening scenarios, at the hands of crooks posing as law enforcement.
You know you can usually get whatever you want from China Town, but the fact that you can get what’s needed to pose as the police is worrying.
A video published to YouTube on Sunday shows a cyclist being wrestled to the ground by three men who appear to be “blue light” VIP security guards. Blue light transportation is typically reserved for cabinet ministers and diplomatic envoys.
This time last week, we told you all about how the VIP protection unit had racked up massive speeding fines well in excess of R100 000. Public reaction wasn’t exactly favourable, and the waiver of the penalties was questioned by a lot of people. Government took the opportunity on Sunday to clarify the legal position.