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The DA Members of Parliament who are part of the "Taking Parliament to the People" oversight trip to Limpopo have taken a stand against the blue-light bullies the ANC has employed to shuttle MPs around the province.

I have today written to the Chief Whip of the NCOP to request that all provincial traffic vehicles accompanying DA MPs are instructed not to use their blue lights and sirens unless in an emergency. (see letter below)

Currently, all vehicles transporting MPs from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) are accompanied by three or more Limpopo provincial traffic vehicles with their blue-lights flashing and their sirens on, wherever they may be heading and these vehicles regularly show no regard for the rules of the road.

I have therefore also requested that all provincial traffic officers travelling with us be instructed to obey the rules of the road and respect fellow road users. Of course, if there is a genuine emergency, then the use of blue-lights and sirens may be required - but they should not be used as a matter of course. If they are, it is only to massage the egos of self-important ANC MPs.




Hon Nosipho Ntwanambi
Chief Whip of the NCOP

25 March 2010

Dear Hon Chief Whip,

I am writing to request that all provincial traffic vehicles accompanying DA Members of Parliament who are "Taking Parliament to the People" in Limpopo are instructed not to use their blue-lights and sirens unless in an emergency.

Currently, all vehicles transporting MPs from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) are accompanied by three Limpopo provincial traffic vehicles with their blue-lights flashing and their sirens on, wherever they may be going.

These vehicles regularly show no regard for the rules of the road, break the speed limit, drive through red lights and push people off the road to barge past. This behaviour is completely unnecessary since we have not yet been pushed for time, nor have we been in an emergency situation.

The purpose of taking the NCOP "to the people" for the week of 22 - 26 March is to include people directly in the parliamentary process, not to drive them off the road on their way to work. The DA refuses to be associated with this behaviour.

If we are accompanied by a provincial traffic officer, we request that he or she obeys the rules of the road, respects fellow road users and keeps the blue-lights and sirens off. Of course, if there is a genuine emergency, then the use of blue-lights and sirens may be required - but they should not be used as a matter of course.

We would appreciate it if you could advise the organisers of Taking Parliament to the People to accommodate this request.
Yours sincerely,

Tim Harris MP
DA Whip in the NCOP