Pieter Bezuidenhout writes:
I was driving from Nelspruit to Malalane on November 28. At around 07:30 I was travelling through the stop-and-go area in Crocodile Gorge, when two BMW SUVs passed the queue at high speed on the closed side of the road. They swerved in and out of traffic to avoid construction vehicles coming from the opposite direction. At one stage one of the drivers had to stop and reverse as the tarmac ended and he found himself on the prepared base of the new road. This vehicle then passed me on the bridge across the Crocodile River after the Matsulu turn-off. This was done at high speed on a solid white line into oncoming traffic. When I reached the Nkomazi Toll Plaza the two vehicles were stopped in the middle of the road while the drivers were having a conversation. I was appalled to note that both were wearing uniforms of the Mpumalanga Traffic Department.
A while later both again came from behind flashing their headlights at the vehicles in front of them. When others did not move out of their way they overtook on the solid white line. One of them overtook me outside Riverview School, on a double white line into oncoming traffic.
These are people who are supposed to not only uphold the law, but also set an example for other drivers. Instead they show no regard for others and put people’s lives in danger. They are a disgrace to their uniform and clearly think they are above the law and can do whatever they like! The registration numbers of the vehicles are FPZ116MP and FVT034MP. I trust that appropriate action will be taken against them.
Mr Joseph Mabuza of the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liason responds:
Everyone is encouraged to drive responsibly, regardless of whether they are traffic officials or motorists.
In emergencies, traffic officials are allowed to use their lights and sirens in order to get right of way. They should, however, always take other motorists’ safety into consideration. If motorists do see them endangering others, they should note the time, area and registration numbers of the vehicles and we will investigate the matter.
I am not aware of the circumstances surrounding the above-mentioned matter, but will investigate it.
