South Africa’s VIP protection services have been heavily criticized by the Automobile Association (AA), which has labelled them a “shameful blight” on the roads.
These motorcades, colloquially known as “Blue light Brigades” on account of their flashing blue lights, are an almost daily occurrence for drivers in South Africa’s biggest cities, particularly in Gauteng.
The convoys have been the subject of multiple controversies over the years for their aggressive behaviour towards other motorists, including a disregard for the rules of the road and more severe threats or acts of violence levelled at citizens.
Blue light menace
The AA has raised concerns for years regarding the behaviour of South Africa’s Blue Light Brigades but says that little has been done to curb their outrageous behaviour.
“Repeated calls for proper oversight of the VIP unit’s operations have clearly fallen on deaf ears. The unit’s members continue to act with impunity, often considering other road users a menace instead of, rightfully, citizens they need to protect and serve,” the AA said.
The organization has received many complaints from both its members and the public that these motorcades act as a law unto themselves and disregard the safety of other motorists.
The VIP brigades often drive at high speeds and force other cars out of the lane. At other times, the convoys will push their way through heavy traffic, particularly during the morning and afternoon rush hour periods.
There have also been several anecdotal reports from drivers that the occupants of these vehicles point firearms and make violent or belligerent gestures to threaten and intimidate other road users in an attempt to get them moving out of the way.
All of these concerns were illustrated in July 2023 when a video went viral showing a convoy pulling over and assaulting a motorist on the side of the N1 highway in Fourways, Gauteng.
Screenshot from viral video showing VIP protection officers assaulting a private motorist for allegedly refusing to give way
The Blue Light Brigades are commonly used to transport South African politicians at peak traffic hours, and the AA is calling upon the state to hold these operators to a higher standard.
“Whatever politician is being transported in these motorcades must make it clear that they expect the highest levels of professional and ethical behaviour from their support staff,” it said.
“Allowing these officers to act the way they do sends a message to the public that they are above the law, which they are not.”
It must be noted that Section 58(3) of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) permits certain vehicles to disregard specific rules of the road such as traffic signs, but only under the correct circumstances.
This includes emergency vehicles and duly authorized drivers, as well as a “person appointed in terms of the South African Police Service Act who drives a vehicle in the carrying out of his or her duties.”
Additionally, Regulation 176 of the NRTA states that drivers on the road are supposed to give an absolute right of way to a vehicle sounding a device or bell or displaying an identification lamp.
However, the AA contends that the behaviour displayed by these protection convoys is reckless and puts other motorists at risk.
It claims that these individuals responsible should be held liable for gross negligence whenever they pose a threat to another person or their property, whether they are driving a politician, delegate, or VIP.
“Driving recklessly so a principal can be on time for a meeting does not constitute an emergency for the rest of the motoring public and it is shameful to think or act otherwise,” stated the AA.
Looking for a solution
Layton Beard, spokesperson for the AA, recently appeared on 702 to discuss how South Africa’s Blue Light Brigades could be held accountable for their actions.
It was put forth that the conduct of these VIP services needs to be made more open and transparent to the public, and that the brigades should be monitored by the parliament portfolio on policing.
The protection jobs are managed by the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the vehicles are fitted with tracking devices, which could be used to create a timeline for a principal’s movements and determine whether their conduct was justified.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson for the SAPS, responded to 702, saying that the VIP escorts are classified as an essential service according to the Traffic Act in South Africa.
She noted that this does not excuse reckless driving and that the SAPS does monitor these services to determine whether there has been negligence on the part of an officer.
The public is encouraged to report any instances of reckless behaviour displayed by its Blue Light Brigades, she said.
It was claimed that a principal may have multiple reasons for disobeying the speed limit and that the drivers are usually justified in their actions.
Mathe stated that over 2,000 police officers have been dismissed in the last five years for reckless or illegal activities, but did not elaborate on how many of these officers were related to the VIP escorts.
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