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Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance has branded as “shocking” the year-long cover-up of yet another “blue-lights brigade” road collision, this one involving two of Gauteng health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe's staff.
The crash allegedly happened in Boksburg, east of the city, on July 15 2011 when Mekgwe's staff were driving under flashing blue lights merely to collect Mekgwe from OR Tambo airport, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday.
NO HURRY – WHY THE LIGHTS?
The DA’s Gauteng safety spokesperson, Kate Lorimer, said: "The driver of the MEC's vehicle at the time and his companion should be charged and disciplined immediately.”
It was, she added, unacceptable that blue lights were needed since Mekgwe's arrival time would have been known. "What makes matters worse is that it seems the docket has gone missing."
Gauteng health department spokesman Simon Zwane dismissed the incident: "It was an accident, yes. The MEC was not in the car. There was nothing untoward and the accident was reported to the police, and to the insurance company.”
Lorimer said Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane and Gauteng's MEC’s should take responsibility for the way their security staff behaved. Blue-lights abuse needed to be curbed, especially after the crash in November 2011 which nearly killed young motorcyclist Thomas Ferreira.
Ferreira was knocked off his bike by Gauteng local government and housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi's official vehicle. He sustained severe head injuries and spent weeks in a coma. A grandiose promise by the province's premier to pay his medical expenses has been forgotten by her and the ANC.
Fortunately the youth now has improved use of his right arm and leg, both broken in the collision.
The car driver, Joseph Modomai Semietjie, a member of the police VIP unit, is supposed to be criminally prosecuted and disciplined internally.
The crash allegedly happened in Boksburg, east of the city, on July 15 2011 when Mekgwe's staff were driving under flashing blue lights merely to collect Mekgwe from OR Tambo airport, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday.
NO HURRY – WHY THE LIGHTS?
The DA’s Gauteng safety spokesperson, Kate Lorimer, said: "The driver of the MEC's vehicle at the time and his companion should be charged and disciplined immediately.”
It was, she added, unacceptable that blue lights were needed since Mekgwe's arrival time would have been known. "What makes matters worse is that it seems the docket has gone missing."
Gauteng health department spokesman Simon Zwane dismissed the incident: "It was an accident, yes. The MEC was not in the car. There was nothing untoward and the accident was reported to the police, and to the insurance company.”
Lorimer said Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane and Gauteng's MEC’s should take responsibility for the way their security staff behaved. Blue-lights abuse needed to be curbed, especially after the crash in November 2011 which nearly killed young motorcyclist Thomas Ferreira.
Ferreira was knocked off his bike by Gauteng local government and housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi's official vehicle. He sustained severe head injuries and spent weeks in a coma. A grandiose promise by the province's premier to pay his medical expenses has been forgotten by her and the ANC.
Fortunately the youth now has improved use of his right arm and leg, both broken in the collision.
The car driver, Joseph Modomai Semietjie, a member of the police VIP unit, is supposed to be criminally prosecuted and disciplined internally.
