Eastern Cape Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha, has issued a warning to all those who use unauthorised flashing blue lights (or lights of any other colour such as white or red) and sirens on their vehicles to either remove them or face criminal charges in the Eastern Cape.
He stated that the usage of flashing lights and sirens is restricted to emergency and law enforcement agency vehicles only.
Nqatha added that any other vehicle fitted with, or any motorist using, flashing lights or sirens is committing a criminal offence.
“This is clearly stated in Protocol Circular No. P21 of 2023 by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. This warning comes as the Eastern Cape is seeing a spike in privately owned vehicles using flashing lights, speeding, and bullying other motorists on the province’s roads. These are often driven by heavily armed men, masquerading as emergency personnel or law enforcement,” said Nqatha.
Nqatha said strict instructions have been given to all law enforcement officers, from the traffic police to the SAPS, to stop all vehicles fitted with flashing lights and sirens as part of the process to verify whether they are authorised.
“And those who are found to be on the wrong side of the law will face consequences. We cannot afford to have parallel emergency and law enforcement personnel pushing and bullying motorists on our roads. We are therefore calling on all those who know that they have unauthorised flashing lights of any colour and sirens to do themselves a favour by removing these or face the consequences of their decisions.”
He made it clear that this is not a witch hunt against anyone, but an honest attempt to restore law and order in the province, for the safety of all its citizens.
