EASTERN Cape premier Noxolo Kiviet was arrested for driving nearly 40km over the speed limit – and then, just days later, pleaded with motorists to slow down on the roads.
Kiviet, who rarely takes the wheel and is usually driven around by a chauffeur, had allegedly been driving at 98km/h in an area with a 60km speed limit.
She later commended the traffic police for doing their job without fear or favour.
Kiviet failed to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday where she was due to make her first formal court appearance.
She had skipped court proceedings to meet with Congress of South African Trade Union (Cosatu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and the South African Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) in Bhisho yesterday morning to discuss tensions between union members and education boss, Modidima Mannya.
Her chief of staff, Sipho Lunyawo, wrote to presiding magistrate Similo Jaftha, explaining Kiviet’s absence from court.
However, when her name was called by the state yesterday morning, and she failed to respond, prosecutor Ayanda Hasheni issued a warrant of arrest.
The Daily Dispatch understands the issuing of the warrant was procedural and that no arrest was effected. been pulled over while rushing to meet with her ill mother. He confirmed she had been driving herself.
“The premier went through the normal processes driven by the traffic police like any other citizen and has commended the traffic officials for doing their work without fear or favour.
“She has apologised and appealed for understanding of the particular emergency scenario which even resulted in her driving herself to attend to her sick mother,” he added.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), a total of 200 drivers were arrested in BCM for excessive speeding during the festive season.
According to the information supplied to the Dispatch, at the start of the new year between 35 and 40 people were arrested daily on the country’s roads, mostly for speeding.
If caught driving 30km over the designated speed limit, motorists are arrested and transported to the nearest police station, where they have the option of paying bail of about R500. They are then given a date to appear in court.
According to Wolela, a similar procedure was followed in Kiviet’s case.
Kiviet was just one of a number of high-profile residents recently arrested for exceeding the speed limit.
ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane was arrested in mid-december after he, too, was caught exceeding the speed limit by up to 30km/h.
Yesterday, Mabuyane admitted he had been speeding in a 60km/h zone and described his arrest as “unfortunate”.
“I was rushing to a meeting and got pulled over. I was arrested and had to pay. I have not yet appeared in court,” he explained.
