Two men have been arrested for the illegal fitting and possession of blue lights on a private motor vehicle following a roadblock stop in Centurion late last month.

Police stopped a vehicle fitted with blue lights in the Wierdabrug area during a routine roadblock in June. The female driver told officers that the vehicle belonged to her husband.

Further investigation led police to arrest the vehicle’s owner on Friday, 3 July. A day later, a Mozambican national who allegedly fitted the blue lights to the vehicle was also arrested.

The two suspects face charges relating to the contravention of Regulations 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, which prohibit the unauthorised fitment and use of blue lights on private vehicles.

SAPS has warned the public that fitting or using blue lights without lawful authority is a criminal offence. The illegal use of blue lights has become a serious concern as criminal syndicates, commonly known as the “blue light gang”, have used them to impersonate law enforcement officers and rob, hijack and terrorise unsuspecting motorists.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said anyone found manufacturing, selling, fitting or using unauthorised blue lights will face the full might of the law. SAPS will continue to intensify operations to remove illegal blue lights from South African roads.

The two men are expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today, 6 July.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious vehicles displaying blue lights to SAPS by calling the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or using the MySAPS app.

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