050811 ANC Youth Leaguge President Julius Malema speaks at seminar on economic freedom at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus.24 Picture: Ziphozonke Lushaba 050811 ANC Youth Leaguge President Julius Malema speaks at seminar on economic freedom at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus.24 Picture: Ziphozonke Lushaba
Witness reports of a speeding blue-light convoy and the name of Julius Malema add up to a political mystery and an upset opposition MP.
DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard said on Tuesday there had been “witness” reports that the ANC Youth League president was seen being transported in a blue-light convoy with police protection.
The convoy had apparently been spotted travelling at “high speed on the N1/Polokwane road towards Johannesburg with its sirens blaring” on Sunday, said Kohler Barnard.
Blue-light convoys and the police protection that comes with them are reserved for high-ranking members of the government – a list that does not include Malema.
Kohler Barnard said she intended writing to Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to get confirmation and, in the event that the reports were true, an explanation of why Malema was given VIP treatment, paid for from the taxpayers’ purse.
Police spokesman Vish Naidoo said it was highly unlikely that the convoy had been transporting Malema.
Also, the SAPS had not received any complaints or reports that Malema had travelled in the blue-light convoy, he said.
The SAPS withdrew Malema’s VIP protection last year. - Political Bureau