Call for blue light crackdown after 2 die

The vehicle of KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu's security detail that was involved in a collision. Picture: Twitter

The vehicle of KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu's security detail that was involved in a collision. Picture: Twitter

Published Mar 21, 2016

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Durban - Bereaved families of the two women killed in a crash involving one of KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu’s “blue light” VIP protection support vehicles are still in the dark about the events leading to the collision near KwaDukuza on Friday night.

On Sunday Mchunu visited the two families in KwaMbonambi and Mhlathuze in Empangeni to pay his respects.

Friends Buyi Hadebe and Nonto Xulu were driving a Toyota Yaris from Empangeni to Durban with three passengers on Friday night for a conference at Christ Embassy Church.

 

Read: Victims of ‘blue light’ crash named

Hlengiwe Moeti, Hadebe’s cousin, who spoke to The Mercury on Sunday, said they were waiting for a report from the investigating authorities to have questions surrounding the mystery of their loved one’s death answered.

“I grew up with Buyi and her passing has shocked us. She was a teacher in a Durban school. They were going to church and would stay there for a weekend.

“We are saddened,” she said.

The three passengers were injured and were taken to hospital.

Mchunu’s bodyguards allegedly lost control of their Ford Ranger on the N2 near KwaDukuza about 8pm on Friday. The bodyguards were slightly injured.

 

Read: Premier Senzo Mchunu's blue light vehicle in fatal crash

Police spokeswoman Nqobile Gwala said the cause of the accident was unknown. Police were investigating a case of culpable homicide and the circumstances of the accident.

There were allegations that Mchunu was travelling ahead of the Ford Ranger, and the bodyguards overtook the vehicle in front of them to catch up, but crashed into the Yaris. However, Mchunu’s spokesman, Ndabezihle Sibiya, denied the claims. Sibiya said it was a back-up car used by Mchunu’s protectors that was involved in the accident.

“At the time of the accident, the premier was home after a meeting held under the auspices of the premier’s co-ordinating forum,” he said.

In a statement sent to The Mercury, DA MPL Sizwe Mchunu said the accident “again” raised “serious” questions about the use of blue-light brigades by politicians.

“Over the years, KZN has witnessed a number of accidents involving these units. Lives have been lost and road users pushed off the road.

“KZN’s government needs to either impose a complete ban on the use of blue lights, or at least impose stringent regulations around their use,” he said.

Mchunu said a full-scale investigation had to be conducted to establish the cause and other contributory factors.

 

Read: Mchunu orders probe into ‘blue light’ crash

 

Also read: DA shocked as two die in ‘blue light’ accident

“The families of those who were involved in last night’s accident must get answers,” he said.

In 2012, SABC journalist Tim Mncube and a VIP protection officer were killed in a head-on collision on the N2 near Mtubatuba with a blue-light vehicle that was part of a fleet taking King Goodwill Zwelithini to Richards Bay.

Mchunu told the families that the provincial government would assist them with the burial.

“The office of the premier will assist in the co-ordination of government’s interventions. Our priority is to provide counselling to the families, especially children that have been traumatised after losing their mothers,” he said.

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@sphengubane

The Mercury

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