INLSA

Howard Dembovsky Chairman of JPSA (Justice Projects.South Africa). Picture: Nigel Sibanda.

A lobby group trying to stop government ministers and other VIPs from using blue-light vehicles to move through traffic has accused the Minister of Transport of ignoring a public petition demanding he take action against the convoys.

Howard Dembovsky, chairman of the Justice Project SA (JPSA), said the petition of 46 646 signatures had been “hand delivered” to the offices of the Department of Transport on December 1.

Minister S’bu Ndebele had been given until December 31 to respond.

“As a result of his (Ndebele’s) inaction, a letter has been drafted and delivered to the World Health Organisation at the United Nations,” Dembovsky said.

Tiyani Rikhotso, a spokesman for the department, acknowledged receipt of the petition and said that the minister would respond in due course.

JPSA is lobbying against blue-light brigades after a Krugersdorp teenager, Thomas Ferreira, 18, was injured in November when the car transporting Gauteng housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi jumped a red traffic light.

A blue flashing light was the only warning to motorists that the high-speed luxury car was not going to stop at the light.

Ferreira, who was knocked off his motorbike, is recovering but has suffered brain damage. – Sapa