What it costs government to install one set of blue lights

It costs government R35,594.80 to fund the purchase and installation of one set of blue lights for ministerial vehicles, a bill flipped by the South African taxpayer.

This was revealed by the Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, in a recent Parliamentary Q&A.

The Freedom Front’s Wouter Wessels asked Groenewald whether blue lights are installed in the official vehicles of the Minister and Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, and to furnish the relevant details if so.

He also asked whether the Minister will issue a statement on the matter, presumably because Blue Light VIP escorts have received much unwanted attention in the media of late.

“Yes, blue lights were installed in the vehicle of the Deputy Minister at a total cost of R35,594.80,” Groenewald replied to the first question.

“This is in line with Section 58(3) of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, these specialised lamps are permitted in vehicles operated by members of the South African Police Service who are appointed under the South African Police Act as VIP Protection Officers whilst executing their duties, which include the transportation of executives.”

In reply to Wessels’ second question, the Minister succinctly said “no.”

Blue Light Blight

VIP escorts have garnered much negative press in recent times with organisations like the Automobile Association (AA) labelling them a “shameful blight on South African roads.”

Colloquially called Blue Light Brigades, these vehicles regularly put the lives of other road users at risk by speeding and driving unpredictably in heavy traffic while flashing their headlights at the cars in front.

The occupants of these vehicles have allegedly also been observed flashing their firearms to motorists who do not let them pass through quickly enough.

The lawless attitude of Blue Light Brigades have resulted in several altercations with the public.

The most recent high-profile incident happened in mid-2023 when a VIP convoy was filmed boxing in and pulling over a motorist on the side of the N1 highway in Fourways, Gauteng, proceeding to violently assault the occupants, get back into their vehicles, and speed off.

“We receive many complaints from our members and the public about how these motorcades force them off the road and barge their way through heavy traffic – especially during peak traffic hours in the morning and afternoon,” said the AA.

“The vicious assault on three drivers on the N1 highway in Fourways, Johannesburg in 2023 is a good example of how ‘protection officers’ in the motorcades respond to others. The message from these official personnel is that their passengers are more important than other road users, and that the public must simply yield or face personal attack.”

What’s more, in early 2024 it was revealed that Blue Light Brigades have cost South African taxpayers north of R42 million in the six years prior in fuel costs alone, equating to a staggering monthly bill of over R580,000.

While municipalities such as the City of Johannesburg has attempted to formalise their VIP escort practices, they have been met with backlash and legal action from opposition parties.

The AA has called upon the politicians and principals who are being escorted in these vehicles to make it clear that they expect the highest levels of professional and ethical behaviour from their support staff.

“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 said.

Despite their actions being legally permissible, the AA also contends that drivers of these motorcades who act carelessly should be held liable for gross negligence where they pose a threat.

“We contend that any driver who drives recklessly or is careless about the safety of other users on the road should be held liable for gross negligence where they pose a threat to property or another person whether they are driving a politician, delegate, VIP, or a car fitted with a blue light, just like any other road user,” said the AA.

“In fact, 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.”