THERE have been growing concerns as motorists continue to fall victim to criminals masquerading as law enforcement officials who stop unsuspecting drivers only to rob them.
These criminals confront drivers by effecting roadblocks or instructing them to stop while pretending to be members of law enforcement, the SA Police Service (SAPS), traffic police and security.
Others use this to solicit money from drivers, while others use it to their advantage to disrespect the rules.
There have been growing concerns and fears about this modus operandi in Gauteng.
This after the report that three black luxury vehicles – Mercedes Benz – with lights are often seen travelling in a convoy in the Sandton area.
A security company vehicle with blue and red lights was also reported stopping oncoming traffic at intersections for funeral convoys en route to cemeteries in the Lenasia area, especially on the weekends.
On the M1 freeway, unknown vehicles with markings “Tactical Unit” with flashing white and red lights were also spotted.
The whistleblowers recently told the DA that innocent motorists and road users in the province were being terrorised by vehicles fitted with unauthorised emergency lights, leading to fatal accidents.
The DA’s Gauteng spokesperson for community safety, Michael Sun, said the party received numerous complaints from road users about incidents of harassment or bullying by unauthorised vehicles using blue or red emergency lights on the provincial roads.
Sun said these vehicles had been forcing other road users to be involved in accidents, leading to some losing their lives.
The party said Gauteng traffic police failed to crack down on the problem. Meanwhile, efforts to get comments from Gauteng traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane drew a blank.
The illegal use of emergency lights is a clear violation of Regulations 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Act, 2000, which are in place to ensure the safety of all road users and prevent confusion or abuse of emergency signals.
The Act explicitly permits vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, or rescue vehicles to be fitted with red flashing lights when responding to emergencies.
In addition, it stipulates that no individual may operate a vehicle equipped with blue lights or capable of emitting blue lights unless they are members of the SAPS, municipal police, traffic police, or certain members of the SA National Defence Force when performing their official duties.
It also specifies that vehicles owned by registered security companies may be fitted with a lens bar containing white lights with the word “security” and the owner’s name displayed in black letters. Crucially, these lights are not allowed to rotate or strobe.
Sun said this regulation had been violated mostly by those working in the security industry. “Countless road users have shared alarming accounts of feeling harassed, intimidated, or deceived by unauthorised vehicles flaunting blue or red emergency lights,” he said.
He said the party had already made calls in the Community Safety Committee for the Gauteng traffic police and SAPS to clamp down on the unlawful usage and installation of emergency lights on vehicles in “our” province as a matter of urgency.
Sun went on to say that the party would further table questions to the Office of the Premier responsible for the Community Safety Portfolio to determine what actions are being taken to address the illegal use of emergency lights in the province.
Deputy President Paul Mashatilie’s bodyguards were last year charged with a combined 11 counts, including four for the pointing of a firearm, two counts for reckless and negligent driving, one for malicious damage to property, three for assault, and one for attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
This was after the former VIP Presidential Unit officers were filmed allegedly assaulting off-duty soldiers on the side of the N1 highway.
Three suspects belonging to the blue light gang, a notorious group known for robbing motorists on the N3 freeway, were caught earlier this year on the R23 in Brakpan by Gauteng traffic police and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD).
The suspects were travelling in a silver VW Polo hatch with false registration plates attached and are suspected to be linked to other cases of robbery and murder.
The EMPD in June also arrested three alleged robbers and recovered items including a police uniform, six firearms, and police blue lights with a siren. This was after the suspects stopped a motorist and robbed him of R10 000 cash, official documents, car keys, and his licensed firearm.