KwaZulu-Natal ‘blue light’ accident to be probed
KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu has ordered an investigation into his so-called “blue light” VIP protection escort that was involved in an accident, killing two people on Friday evening.
It was reported that a Ford Ranger bakkie belonging to Mchunu’s VIP escort collided with a Toyota Yaris on the N2 near Zinkwazi. Both occupants of the small car died. The VIP bakkie occupants sustained minor injuries.
ANA has been informed that Mchunu was not in the vehicle involved in the accident.
“There are many unanswered questions and confusing reports around separate accidents along this route. It is for this reason that I have instructed my special advisor on good governance advocate Linda Zama to liaise with law enforcement agencies, such as the SA Police Service and Road Traffic Inspectorate,” Mchunu said in a statement on Saturday.
He said police would locate the driver of a truck that allegedly drove away from the scene, and which was believed to be the main cause of the accident.
“It is important to establish how many people were involved in [the] accident and whether there are any eyewitnesses who may assist.
“We want to establish [the] circumstances surrounding [the] Toyota Yaris which was also involved in [the] accident resulting in [the] unfortunate death of two passengers. It is also alleged that a blue car veered off the road into the oncoming traffic.
“I have instructed my office to work with the department of transport, community safety, and liaison to locate the families of the deceased, as we want to personally visit the families to convey our deepest condolences. We also want to visit other victims who are in hospital,” said Mchunu.
The provincial government leadership’s “hearts are with families and friends of the victims”.
“We want to assure the families that we are taking this matter very seriously and my special advisor will be in contact with all the families,” he said.
Earlier, the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal expressed “shock and sadness” at the accident.
DA leader in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature Sizwe Mchunu said Friday night’s accident again raised serious questions around the use of so-called “blue light brigades” by politicians.
In 2012, respected SABC journalist Tim Ncube and a VIP protection officer were killed in a head-on collision in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
That accident occurred on the N2 near Mtubatuba. The blue light vehicle formed part of a fleet transporting king Goodwill Zwelithini. He was allegedly being driven from his Nongoma palace to a doctor in Richards Bay.