IFP Charges Reckless Radebe

MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY:
MR KOOS VAN DER MERWE MP
IFP CHIEF WHIP

December 15, 2006

The Inkatha Freedom Party's Chief Whip, Mr Koos van der Merwe MP, today laid a serious complaint in terms of, inter alia, section 6 (1) of the Public Protector Act 23 of 1994, against Minister Jeff Radebe for disobeying traffic lays, causing danger to other road users as well as setting a bad example.

"I was shocked to read in Beeld that Minister Radebe had presented a speech at a national road safety project in Pretoria where he urged motorists not to speed, because most accidents are caused by speed. Shortly afterwards his convey left speeding in excess of 150 km/h," said Mr van der Merwe

"What a scandalous example set by the Minister of Transport, who warns others not to speed and then arrogantly and contemptuously ignores his own warning. To add insult to injury, Minister Radebe's spokesperson, Collen Msibi, is quoted as saying that senior government officials may travel faster than the speed limit. Msibi said that qualified members of the VIP unit are authorised by law to ignore rules. I am however advised that there is nothing in the Law that grants Ministers the right to disobey the laws of this land.

"To argue that Ministers are transported in cars driven by others who contravene traffic rules, is of course no excuse, because the Minister will certainly know when the driver is committing a crime and it is then his duty as a Minister to intervene and stop the driver.

"I am therefore lodging a serious complaint against Minister Radebe; and I call on the Public Protector to investigate this matter in terms of, inter alia, section 182 of the Constitution. I call on the Public Protector to investigate these complaints and to take appropriate action immediately.

"I suggest that it be made abundantly clear to Ministers that they are not above the Law and if they are party to contraventions of the Law, they are to be criminally prosecuted. We will also inform President Mbeki of our complaint against his Minister," concluded Mr van der Merwe.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mr Koos van der Merwe MP: 082 444 4944
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470