Zuma zips through Limpopo at '180km/h'

Heavy metal thunder as JZ storms through

On the day that a KwaZulu-Natal magistrate was lambasting the police's VIP protection unit for "terrorising road users and having no regard for the law" it was reported that ANC President Jacob Zuma's 33-vehicle motorcade ripped through Limpopo, often travelling three times faster than the speed limit.

With blue and white lights flashing, the motorcade zipped over zebra crossings in built-up areas at 180km/h where the speed limit is clearly marked at 60km/h.

At one point, the convoy stretched over more than 1km. Traffic officers drove ahead, forcing traffic in both directions off the road while their colleagues blocked off every crossing on the route to allow the convoy unimpeded progress.

Then came the so-called "blue-light bullies" of the VIP protection unit, who zig-zagged in front of and behind the three-vehicle hub carrying the ANC leader and his company, which included ANC Treasurer-General Mathews Phosa.

Rifle barrels protruded menacingly from one of these vehicles as motorists scrambled to get out of the way.

On the same day, magistrate Thys Taljaard denied bail to constable Hlanganani Nxumalo, 28, saying VIP protection unit members had a history of "terrorising" motorists and were not automatically entitled to bail.

Nxumalo, of the Alexandra Road police barracks in Pietermaritzburg, allegedly shot out the tyre of a Mazda on the N3 near Camperdown last Saturday.

The driver of the car lost control, veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a bakkie. There were six people in each car. Eight of them were injured.

The court had earlier heard how Nxumalo was in a hurry to pick up KwaZulu-Natal social development MEC Meshack Radebe.

Nxumalo has been charged with eight counts of attempted murder and one count of malicious damage to property. The matter was postponed to December 11.

Do they really need those flashing lights?

The Democratic Alliance has since written to the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), calling for an investigation into the VIP Protection Unit of the SAPS.

Dianne Kohler-Barnard, DA spokesperson for safety and security, said the state spent R312-million a year to keep VIP protection service officers in the field - a figure she received in a parliamentary question she submitted.

She labelled the Zuma motorcade incident as "pure and utter banana-republic power abuse".

"It is criminal behaviour. It is the clearest manifestation of the 'Malemasation' culture that now has a stranglehold on the once-proud ANC. It is an example set by ANC President, Jacob Zuma, a man well known for enjoying ostentatious displays of power," Kohler-Barnard said.

National police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said that in terms of the Traffic Management Act members of the VIP unit may exceed the speed limit and use their blue and white lights when there justifiable circumstances.

"They may not intimidate or threaten other road users while executing work. They may also never brandish their firearms - this is completely unacceptable."