Saturday, November 22, 2008
Klerksdorp - A traffic officer from the elite Jaws of Life traffic unit in North West province was recently caught on a speed camera doing 246km/h in a 120km/h zone.
A complaint received via Beeld about the alleged lawless behaviour of this unit (which replaced the former Transvaal Provincial Administration's traffic department in this province) was called "unconvincing" by the spokesperson of the responsible MEC, Frans Vilakazi.
But when asked to comment on the officer's behaviour, he backtracked.
"Unfortunately I can't discuss this with the media. There are security measures that need to be taken into account when I give out information," said Mandla Mathebula, spokesperson for North West's MEC for roads, safety and public security.
The traffic violation was allegedly committed on the N12 near Wolmaransstad.
Unpaid fines
According to a document seen by Beeld, Jaws has accumulated unpaid fines of R216 978 at the Maquassi Hills municipality only.
"We are not aware of this outstanding amount. The fact that you know about it and we don't makes me smell a rat," said Mathebula.
About two weeks ago, Dewald du Bruyn, a businessman from Kosmos near Hartbeespoort, complained to Beeld that three Jaws vehicles had forced him off the Mooinooi-Brits road when they passed a truck at high speed against a solid white line.
De Bruyn's BMW 320D's custom alloy wheels were bent, causing thousands of rand of damage when he had to drive off the road to avoid an accident.
VIP escort
Mathebula told Beeld on Sunday that he was not convinced that this incident actually took place.
"We have not received a complaint about this. Nobody has told us about this, except you."
He said the Jaws team's vehicles were emergency vehicles that were used to get to emergency situations like accidents and traffic jams. They were also used to escort VIPs.
He denied in the strongest terms that it was irresponsible to drive that fast on the province's "bad" roads. Mandla Mathebula:- Head of Communications
"What do you mean by the roads are bad? I was in the Maquassi Hills area a long time ago, but the province's roads aren't that bad," Mathebula had said earlier.
Spot fine for farmer
A farmer from Wolmaransstad, Klasie Visser, had his bakkie keys confiscated at a Jaws roadblock due to an alleged outstanding traffic fine of R100.
He had to pay R300 on the spot before they would let him go.
When he produced the receipt for the R100 fine a few days later, he was told via Beeld's reporter: "Come to the department (about 200 km from Wolmaransstad) and come get your R300 and your apology".
Mathebula said more people were satisfied with the work Jaws did than the other way round.
Condoning speeding
Chris Hattingh, DA leader in North West, said it was disturbing that the MEC openly condoned speeding of this nature by travelling in speeding convoys.
The MEC also stated in an answer to a question in the legislature that provincial traffic officers were exempt from speeding regulations in the course of duty.
"All indications are there that most of the Jaws traffic violations have nothing to do with law enforcement, but with travel to and from places of work," Hatting said.
