Blue Light Brigade: Report reckless driving to us, SAPS urges

John Perlman interviews Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, national spokesperson for the South African Police Service.

The public has a perception of the so-called blue light brigade on our roads as a menace and possible threat.

The Automobile Association (AA) this week repeated its call for proper oversight of the VIP unit’s operations, charging that drivers in the vehicles transporting politicians behave aggressively towards other motorists.

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In conversation with John Perlman, AA spokesperson Layton Beard, said they'd like to see a high level of supervision involving Parliament, which is dealt with in the public eye.

Perlman follows up with SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

After outlining the rights of these VIP protectors in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, Brigadier Mathe urges the public to report any behaviour they deem as negligent or reckless driving.

She emphasizes that the drivers are highly trained, and monitored on a daily basis.

These SAPS members are given the provision to speed only when it is safe to do so, the spokesperson says.

"If it is not safe to do so we don't allow it because that is tantamount to negligent and reckless driving, and compromising the safety of other drivers."

"There are certain measures in place to monitor this, but as the SAPS we always encourage members of the public that felt there was negligent or reckless driving by our members to report it immediately, and we will then deal with the matter."

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, National Spokesperson - SAPS

Pressed by Perlman for figures on how many of these VIP drivers have been disciplined, suspended or fired during the past few years, Mathe pledges to get this information and provide it to The Afternoon Drive.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview