Ministers speed into SA's bad books
2012-07-25 13:58
RACING FOR TOP POSITION: It appears that these parliamentary members are competing for the number one position in the highest accumulation of fines.
Certain members of parliament have been under the spotlight recently as news broke of their unpaid fines.
We recently reported on Dipou Peters racking up a staggering R40 000 in traffic fines, but shocked parties weren’t given much time to process the information as news of Susan Shabangu’s shocking unpaid R64 060 became public.
DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR
James Lorimer, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of mineral resources, stated his disgust saying: “Our national ministers should be setting an example for the rest of the country to follow. Instead, they are showing the rest of South Africa that they have no regard for human life. They should be ashamed of themselves.
"It is only a matter of time before one of our speeding ministers claims a victim on our road."
In reaction to the news, Peters’ office replied saying: "The minister is driven to and from official engagements by the South African Police Services’ VIP Protection Unit and the following traffic fines were incurred by the unit’s members in the execution on duty."
Top traffic offending ministers 2012:
Mineral resources minister Susan Shabangu - R64 060
Minister of energy Dipuo Peters - R39 400
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson - R30 400.
Water and environmental affairs minister Edna Molewa - R12 625
Science and technology minister Naledi Pandor - R9800
As with any discrepancies involving government, many South Africans commented on the issue and here’s what some Wheels24 readers had to say:
malans.house:
Instead of setting examples of good citizenship, ministers like Ms Peters' behaviour encourage the perception that "everything is OK, as long as you have an excuse and as long as you can get away with it" (Watch Jub-Jub getting away with murder!).
dave.elmore.5:
Looking at her, maybe the fines were for vehicle overloading?
colin.taylor.9883:
If the new points system on drivers was in operation would she lose her drivers permit or be given Parlimentary Immunity?
Cyrus:
We dont have enough informed voters in this country. Thats why we have a failed democracy.
Carpenter:
As Judge Dredd famously said, "we can't break the law, we are the law!!!"
ian.flack2:
2009 - 2010 - R2750
2010 - 2011 - R29 000
2011 - 2012 - R32 310
So she's becoming better at it......
Flyswat:
Well done, lady. Don't worry about paying the fines. It's only our privilege as your loyal taxpaying servants to foot the bill for you... again. No worries, mate, really. It's on us. No problem. Don't mention it. Only a pleasure.
phillip.beukes.5:
And I always thought part of the oath they take, when they take office... is to uphold and defend the laws of the country...
