It has become an all too depressing story: some bigwig politicians or their VIP protectors who mouth platitudes about being servants of the people around election time but really have egos the size of China, drive in a screaming cavalcade of cars to a very important lunch date or a drinks date with a gilrfriend, when suddenly something goes wrong and a poor motorist who happens to have been around is injured or killed.
I find this kind of story so depressing because it seems to suggest that human beings have an uncanny yearning to be pompous and self-important and that servants of the people think they are better than the rest of us and do not have to abide by the law.
At the end of last year a newspaper reported that Mr Jacob Zuma travelled in a convoy of 33 vehicles while campaigning in Limpopo. Even though Zuma is not a public office-bearer, 22 of these vehicles belonged to state law enforcement agencies, and the whole cavalcade stretched for over a kilometre. Traffic officers forced traffic in both directions off the road; crossings on the route were blocked off so that the convoy could proceed without interruption; and roadblocks were set up to stall other motorists.
And just today it was reported that the presidency’s VIP protection unit confiscated equipment from the SABC during a scuffle on the N12 outside Johannesburg after President Kgalema Motlanthe’s motorcade was involved in an accident on the highway, east of Johannesburg on Saturday. A red VW Golf apparently collided with a car in the president’s convoy. Motlanthe was unhurt. When SABC journalists arrived, their footage was confiscated.
Who the hell do these politicians think they are? Why can’t they follow the rules of the road like us mere mortals? Why do they think they are so important that they can break every traffic rule in the book while they tell the rest of us to “Arrive Alive”? The bloody cheek.
It depresses me no end that politicians in South Africa follow the American example instead of, say, the example of the Netherlands or Belgium where Ministers often are seen cycling to work – even when the TV cameras are not turned on. There are two reasons why I find this kind of dangerous and stupid behaviour so depressing.
First, the huge cavalcades and the blue lights reflect so badly on the character of our politicians. It suggests that they have such little inherent regard for themselves and loath themselves so much that they have to puff themselves up with this kind of ridiculous show of importance. The men are probably all worried about the size of their equipment and their virility and think they can make up for this with the size of their convoy. How tacky. How embarrassing. How laughable. They are worst than the dictator in the Coke add.
Second, the speeding convoys also suggest that some politicians think that they are above the law and that they do not need to respect the Rule of Law. If this is what they do in broad day light, for all to see, what are they then doing behind closed doors. What rules are they breaking far away from the limelight?
No wonder corruption is on the increase in South Africa. With insecure fools like this setting the example, who can blame the average traffic cop earning a pittance for also breaking ther rules. But of course, none of these politicians or the protection service personnel will ever be charged so they will remain innocent until proven guilty and thus in the eyes of pshycophants will remain pure as the driven snow.
hoor hoor!!!!
Public servants should take the public bus or get a minibus taxi.
My vote is for a mini bus taxi specifically during rush hour traffic!
Bet we wd c a massive improvement of the public transport system then!
I like this posting. i like the feeling. i like the words. and i like the sense.
Well, Smuts Ngonyama (sp?) did stand up and tell the nation that he didn’t join the struggle to be poor. It’s not really a surprise then that these politicians think that they’re above the laws of “normal” people – they think that they deserve special treatment because they were in the struggle! Of course! Although I sometimes wonder whether people like Zapiro shouldn’t also be allowed big cavalcades to protect them (Zapiro was also involved in the struggle) – but he’s anti idiot politicians, so I doubt he’d be so lucky.
I personally can’t fathom how these morons can’t simply leave on time like the rest of us to get to meetings etc – then there would be no need for reckless screaming around, shooting at motorists and blocking off roads.
I live and work in Bermuda currently – the government here is surprisingly like the government back home, but I will say one thing – the politicians here generally travel like everybody else – public transport or a modest toyota. Seriously! The previous premier, Sir Alex Scott, actually used to ride his moped to work everyday – this is the dude in charge of the 4th biggest financial centre in the world.
But the issue at hand speaks to the general attitude of the ANC’s members – the party’s status as majority ruling party is there to provide them with jobs, money, tenders, profile, position, power. At least that’s the impression I get when I look at the example of the current crop of “leaders”. If I wanted to feel special I’d also join the ANC, so I could have my own blue light convoy one day too. As for the people on the ground – well, we an honourable mention every 5 years or so.
Nothing wrong with the convoys. It comes with the job and should not be seen as some sort of ego boosting freanzy. I would like to believe that when ‘a civil servants motor car’ speeds it is not in total disregard of the rule of law, but that there is in fact a valid reason for doing so. If we stopped being so judge mental perhaps some of these politicians would stop using big vancy cars and resort to the more humble means of transport. If you saw JZ on a little 50cc motorcycle going to his office in the morning….what would your first reactions be??
If I saw jacob Zuma going to work on a little 50cc I’d think “Wow – this guy really is one of us”, “A politician who gets what it means to lead by example”.
Sadly though, I must agree with Pierre — these guys are in it for themselves, with little or no regard for the public they supposedly serve and lead.
There clearly is very little oversight over these matters and it is only when the media make a scandal out of this do we get some censor. Remember the Dubai airplane and construction oversight debacle. We need a media piece that looks at who and how much is being spent on MP’s. Send this information out to voters before an election rally: the MP speaking to you today spends X on Y, Z.. If you live in poverty it is galling to see a politician spending on one big dinner, what is a month salary for you and your family. Opposition parties are you listening?
The other part is the over inflated respect that our (and it seems African) politicians seem to get. In Europe a much fuller satirical culture exists. We need more than one good satirical cartoonist willing to Lampoon and deflate some of these egos.
Re: Paul
Nothing is wrong with a convoy but 33 cars? 22 of which were state vehicles! Plus the numerous support staff to inconvenience every other road user. If I saw Zumu on a 50cc I would think, wow there goes a man with integrity an interesting mind and, in Jozi, a death wish.
Sorry Thomas, i doubt you’ll ever see JZ on a 50cc! I don’t think it would manage him and his ego anyway.
The blue light convoys merely show us what contempt the government has for its citizens. If a VIP protection unit member was to start taking pot shots at citizens in France or the UK there would resignations en masse from senior police and politicians. Although some say it is disingenious to compare European and African democracy, no one has been able to tell me why! Our government needs to be held accountable, but until our education system actually starts making real progress it will not happen.
Welll Prof, I can understand your frustrations when it comes to a VIP Protection cop who shot at a civilian’s Mazda, but have to disagree with you totally when you want to liken us to Belgium or thye Netherlands, for one simple reason Obama and JZ will be assassinated should they try to cycle to work, even Nelson Mandela would have been assassinated if you still recall the perssonel of resistance who were caught trying to shoot him in Amarica!
I also do not understand why do you have to speculate about their virility, may be you meant it in lighthearted manner! But I am sure JZ would laugh at this one,for surely he is a man,getting a fifth wife soon to satisfy his insatiable virility!
Lastly did you really have to bring JZ in seeing that he is nolonger in public service, I agree with Paul Brislin.
Mdu // Jan 6, 2009 at 8:54 am
Sorry, I don’t buy it. JZ travelled (using state resources and taxpayers money) in a convoy over a kilometre long, stopping traffic and affecting other motorists. What gives him the right to do so? As you say, he is no longer in public service.
If Helen Zille or Bantu Holomisa did that, the ANC would be the first to cry foul, but because its the Dear Leader, it’s okay?
Nope. You lost me.
Prof de Vos – “But of course, none of these politicians or the protection service personnel will ever be charged so they will remain innocent until proven guilty and thus in the eyes of pshycophants will remain pure as the driven snow.”
Weell, there was that incident, also towards the end of the year, in KwaZulu-Natal. One of the guys in a blue-light escort car became angry at a motorist who did not give way as fast as the protection service person (psp) would have liked to see, and he shot at the car, causing one of the tyres to blow-out so that the car overturned. I cannot remember whether the private motorist was killed or just badly injured. Fortunately, in that case, the psp was later arrested and charged. I think the difference between that incident and the ones referred to above is that, at the time, the relevant politician was not yet being escorted, and the psp’s were still on their way to go and fetch him at home. But really, should that make a difference?
Although I must agree with PAuL Brislin above that convoys of psp’s come with the job, I cannot agree when he says that there is ‘nothing wrong’ with convoys. They are a menace and, since many politicians in good ol’ RSA are notorious for their late arrivals, convoys do not seem to have good reason for speeding, reckless driving and cowering good citizens off the roads. Even emergency vehicles such as ambulances may not disregard the law and endanger the safety of other road users, and when they cause danger, they may be (and sometimes are) charged – in other words, one emergency should not be allowed to cause another simply to try and solve the one. Blue light cavalcades should not be allowed to disrupt traffic and endangering others’ lives simply because a politician is on his/her way to work or an appointment, unless an urgent meeting of Cabinet is required to decide whether to declare a state of emergency or a war.
One more thing – I honestly do not think that the psp’s of today are properly trained for the job. It also strikes a discordant note that, while the state is not allowed to kill people with a death sentence imposed for the commission of a serious crime, psp’s in service of the state are allowed with impunity to pose a threat to or kill perfectly innocent people for the reason of trying to see that a politician is not late.
Besides the point – if all public office bearers were allowed the luxury of chaufeurs and psp’s, even on private errands – just think of it, there would have been a chance that Judge Motata would not have driven his vehicle under influence of intoxicating tea in a way that caused damage to others.
Lastly – Mdu and PAul, if JZ is no longer in public service, why the hell is he allowed the protection of convoy’s of public law enforcement agencies to the detriment of the public? Is this a Banana Republic or what!?
Libdem
JZ is an unemployed President of the biggest organization in our country don’t you think he needs the government to help him with security lest he be assassinated and anarchy ensues?
@ Anonymouse, ggod to have you back.I note your concerns about convoys being driven recklessly to our own detriment,however biasness aside, as you know habour no respect for Lekota, don’t you still a person like him, who is no longer a public servant but a cope leader, did desreves some form of protection? I think if I, and surely the people of Khutsong, who he insulted and arrogantly threatened soldiers on them whilst he was still Minister of Defence, would physically harm him if we were to meet him on the streets without protection.I would harm him for his greed and insatiable hunger for power and the fact that he thinks South Africans are stupid and cannot see through his past failures in the cabinet and Free State, but anyway he’s really opportunistic who has managed to make an inroad to white electorate who have conveniently forgotten that but yesterday he was ANC!
Mdu – Moet nou nie laf wees nie! Anarchy will not ensue if JZ does not become the next President of the RSA, whether he is assasinated or simply defeated. Julius, Vavi and their clowns simply do not have the clout for that, and JZ does not even know how to properly use an Umshini.
Mdu – As far as Terror Lekota is concerned, I do not think that he should be allowed protection services to protect him. However, in the light of his personal driving history, he needs someone to drive him around, not only to protect him, but to protect other road users.
Personally I feel we need more political assassinations. If the politicians like JZ and those others in government are scared of being assassinated, they’d do better jobs to change the minds of those who would care to do the assassinating. I don’t think it is right that anyone can hire a private army that operates like NAZI Germany’s SS without any regard for the law – and pay for it with our tax money to boot!
There need not be anarchy after an assassination. H. F Verwoerd was assassinated and things were peachy. Chris Hani was assassinated and things were likewise peachy. Imagine how Zimbabwe would improve once Robert Mugabe bites the bullet?
ANONYMOUSE AND Garg, you may be right anarchy need not follow an assassination ,but I don’t wish it on anyone of our politician here in SA, but as for Mugabe the jury, owing to the fact that I am a christian, the jury is still out!
Mdu // Jan 6, 2009 at 10:04 am
You miss my point. What gives JZ the RIGHT to utilise taxpayers money to disrupt the lives of ordinary (taxpaying) citizens? What makes him more important than Zille, Holomisa, Lekota, de Lille, or any other politician?
Oh wait, you said he is the leader of the largest organization in this country, didn’t you? Well that remains to be seen in the forthcoming elections, but it certainly doesn’t mean he can play God (or even banana republic dictator), when he hasn’t even been elected yet…
And doesn’t 33 cars seem excessive? American presidents typically travel with between 20 and 30 (and they’ve been elected!).
@ Mdu
I find it interesting that you mentioned that Zuma is unemployed…what is the relevance? Are you suggesting that he doesn’t have any money and therefor it is okay for him to use government resources?
He must be rolling in it. If he wants 33 cars, he can pay for it out of his own pocket or use ANC funds. Not MY tax money.
How many vehicles in President Motlanthe’s motorcade?
Compliments of the new year! I hope Prof was not stuck in traffic as a consequence of a security fleet of a minister during the holidays.
I think his post is full of unaccounted anger or disquiet. Whilst I agree that the security personnel have no licence to harass motorists and pedestrians, I do not think that we should have ministers and erstwile state leaders cycling in such a venomous country where crazy adversaries of democracy are abound. These leaders will indeed be exposed to serious danger!
I do not think that a minister needs to speed to a party with blaring sirens and cordonned off streets and cross-roads. The level of exposure to possible threat must be assessed and determined and requisite arrangements made.
It is not at all times that we must be shoved off the road. In all fairness, the issue of pomposity and self-importance has nothing to do with the issue of being availed bodyguards for the role you play in society.
I want to suggest that I should have a ride on a bycicle with Prof around Diepkloef in Soweto. You may emerge with an insatiable thirst for bodyguards and an armoured vehicle and bullets-proofed clothes and pepper spray and so on. We do not have to caricature the delicate issue of protection of leaders and their society.
I do not condone the confiscation of SABC cameras, shooting of motorists that do not pose any threat whatsoever. There shall come a day when a leader is ambushed for Prof. to appreciate the african reality.
There is, however, nothing wrong to fantasise about a crime free SA where all can walk and cycle without the thought and possibility of a criminal attack or politically motivated attack.
There is already suggestion that he has a large fleet. This is utterly untrue. the last time a checked there were only three cars inclusive of his benz. I think the alleged 33 embraces even hangers on. For instance when he travels with a premier, the premier’s security team will join in, the MEC’s and so on.
We must really research before we elect to criticise ferociously.
Ishmael: If two travel together, surely they can cut down the number of vehicles required and not simply lump them together?
Mr Zuma is of course not the leader of the largest organisation in South Africa. The leader of the Zionist Church, Barnabas Lekganyane, leads about 3 million people – far more than the membership of the ANC.
Prof., let us not argue trivialities look the context in which the word organisation is used by me here and let us forget peripheral issues and engage material issues!
Well said Prof. How many paid up members were there last in the ANC (before Polokwane that is)? And in COPE?
And, while I know that Barnabas Lekganyane has highly paid bodyguards and entourages, I also happen to know that he is not accompanied with police and/or SANDF vehicles, or any vehicle authorized to operate with blue lights on.
“I am sure JZ would laugh at this one,for surely he is a man,getting a fifth wife soon to satisfy his insatiable virility!”
I hope you meant this in a lighthearted manner?
As if traffic isn’t bad enough.
leas you said:
“As if traffic isn’t bad enough.”
Do you mean traffic at JZ’s homestead with 5 wives?
Jz is a leader of the ruling party guys. That alone, effectively makes him more important than more important than every person in S.A, even more important than K.Motlanthe. You can moan all you want but it is a well known fact that “some are more equal than the others”. It is a new year-Wake Up and stop dreaming!
Spuy // Jan 7, 2009 at 12:15 am
“JZ is a leader of the ruling party guys. That alone, effectively makes him more important than more important than every person in S.A”
So now the truth comes out: as Orwell said of the pigs: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others…”
Well I find it bizarre that the police were so desperatley trying to remove Lekota’s VIP protection as he was no longer in cabinet (although that decision has been rescinded), but Zuma was still receiving state protection. Quite frankly I think all politicians who are not current employees of state should not receive state sponsored protection (Out of deference to Mandela I may concede former heads of state should continue to recieve protection). Otherwise they should live like normal citizens and, shock horror, worry about covering their own security.
Spy et Libdem – Yes, the worrying thing, however, is that the pigs are now taking on the appearance of humans for us other poor animals. When are the poor in the Townships and rural areas going to wake up and understand that it is their hard-earned tax money (and membership fees) that is being squandered by these pigs, and say: Enough is ENOUGH!
JFA – As I have said earlier: As a matter of principle, Terror Lekota should not be entitled to VIP protection services (here I agree with you); but, due to his poor (drunken/speeding/accident-prone) personal drinving record, he should quallify at least for a chaufeur to keep other road users safe.
Prof
It amazes me that no-one in this debate mentioned the case of Thomas Sankara.
It seems to me the spiritual capital of our political elite is London – our collective knowledge of Africa is miniscule.