Mayor Hlatshwayo's blue light bullies: DA outraged over spitting incident, and reports of ANC cover-up

Dianne Kohler Barnard, DA Spokesperson on Safety and security
1 April 2009

Reports today of yet another blue light bully incident demonstrate once again how the Police Service’s VIP Protection Unit has become a law unto itself, and how the ANC is going to extreme lengths to fudge the truth in the run up to the general elections.
 
The incident, in which VIP officers on their way to collect Msunduzi Mayor Zanele Hlatshwayo from the airport allegedly spat in the eyes of a woman motorist, is absolutely outrageous.
 
It now appears that the ANC has attempted to cover up the incident – “for fear that it might spark another public outcry ahead of the April 22 elections”.
 
If this is true, the ANC is once again disgracefully misusing its powers in public office for the purposes of electioneering.
 
Already Minister Nathi Mthethwa has gone back on his predecessor’s pledge to release crime statistics twice annually – and he has even admitted that he did so because of the upcoming elections.
 
Minister Mthethwa needs to launch an immediate investigation and provide in full the reasons that this incident was allegedly covered up. He must also disclose what action has been taken against the perpetrators.
 
We will also refer this incident to the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) and we await the outcome of their investigation into the abuse of power within VIP Protection Units, as per our request.