GAUTENG MECs RACK UP SPEEDING FINES

The official vehicles of five Gauteng MECs racked up 124 speeding fines in the last two years.

This is revealed in written replies by the MECs to questions by the Democratic Alliance in the Gauteng Legislature.

The worst offender is Economic Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu. Her official vehicle got 57 speeding fines in 2010 and 2011.

Finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe's car got 28 fines totalling R21 700, of which six were cancelled, and he is going to pay one fine himself.

The general practice is that the official drivers are responsible for paying the fines, rather than the MECs.

Other MEC vehicle fines are as follows:

• Agriculture and Local Government MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza - 14 fines totalling R19 175
• Local Government and Housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi - 15 fines R10 000
• Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Lebogang Maile - 10 fines totalling R11 800.

There is much abuse of the blue lights on MEC's cars which makes them a danger to others on the roads because of speeding and other infringements.

Many of the fines are not paid because VIP Protection Unit drivers are exempt from traffic law violations.

These speeding fines indicate a disrespect for the rules of the road. It's a poor example for others, and will only be curbed when blue lights are banned, as in DA-run Western Cape.

Statement issued by by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, June 24 2012

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