Limpopo Agriculture MEC Rosina Semenya is the latest VIP to be involved in a blue-light smash.
Semenya’s Mercedes-Benz E Class allegedly skipped a red traffic light, causing a crash, on Wednesday night.
Semenya was immediately whisked away by one of her two bodyguards, according to two eyewitnesses.
The accident happened at about 6pm at the intersection of Suid and Church streets in Polokwane. The Star understands that Semenya was rushing to a departmental event at the Polokwane showgrounds. The event had been delayed because Semenya wasn’t present.
“The premier and other guests were already there and she was the only one missing,” said the source, who had attended the female farmers award ceremony.
Witnesses said Semenya had hurriedly walked away from the scene with a protector.
A source, who was jogging back to his hotel, said the MEC’s car had jumped a red traffic light.
“The Mercedes only yielded, and pulled off at high speed. Unfortunately, the other car had already arrived at the intersection,” said the source.
“The lady and one guy just walked away,” he said.
He said he had not recognised Semenya because he was not a local resident.
“I come from Gauteng. I did not recognise who she was,” said the source, who asked that his name not be used. The man said he had given his details to the police and was willing to testify in court if requested.
He said Semenya’s vehicle had flashing blue lights, but there was no siren.
Another source said she had noticed agriculture department spokesman Selby Makgotho arriving minutes later to pick up Semenya, metres away from the accident scene. The source said Makgotho had picked up the MEC in a Mercedes-Benz C Class.
She asked to remain anonymous because she works for the provincial government.
Yesterday, Makgotho confirmed the accident, but denied the MEC was in the crashed vehicle.
“The MEC was not in that car. She was already at the event when the accident happened,” he said.
Makgotho also denied picking her up in his own car.
“That is also not true. Indeed, I made a turn there, but the MEC had already arrived at the event,” he said.
Limpopo police spokeswoman Colonel Ronel Otto would neither confirm nor deny that Semenya was in the car during the accident.
“We can (only) confirm that a case of reckless or negligent driving was opened. The statements of both drivers and witnesses will be taken and the docket then taken to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision,” said Otto.
The driver of the other car - a Daihatsu Terios - said her mother had sustained leg injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
No one from the MEC’s vehicle was injured. - The Star