SAPS drivers ‘endanger’ lives

DESPITE an ongoing investigation into the “reckless” transportation of prisoners, motorists are still complaining about the way SAPS vehicles drive when transporting prisoners from Pollsmoor to courts across the city.

At the end of last year, the Weekend Argus was inundated with complaints from Tokai residents about “dangerous” driving by SAPS officials, resulting in damages to cars and several “near-accident” incidents in the area.

The Western Cape Police Ombudsman started a public participation process to look into the issue and how widespread it was across the province.

That process was completed at the end of last month and SAPS was informed about the investigation.

Deputy director for communications at the Police Ombudsman, Deidre Foster, said at this stage there had been no interaction with the Department of Correctional Services. This was because the Department was excluded from the Police Ombudsman’s mandate, and would not form part of the investigation because the complaint related to driving on public roads, outside the

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It’s frightening to see how the SAPS vehicles drive

Darryl le Cok MOTORIST

perimeter of the Correctional Services facilities.

“The only interaction which we have had thus far is with those residents who have submitted comments in writing. Receipt has been confirmed and their comments will be taken into account during the course of the investigation.

“We will not register individual complaints for the comments we receive. Members of the public are requested to please quote the date, time, place and possible registration numbers of SAPS vehicles as this will assist with the investigation,” she said.

Meanwhile, motorists who use Baden Powell Drive continue to complain about the way SAPS drivers are “endangering” the lives of other road users.

Neville Owen, who travels from Simon’s Town to Blackheath daily, said it had reached a point where motorists just gave way when they saw SAPS vehicles approaching.

“They overtake into oncoming traffic. I even see empty police vans with blue lights flashing, speeding past us,” he said.

Owen said the speed limit on Baden Powell Drive was 60km/h, but SAPS vehicles could often be seen speeding in excess of 100km/h.

“We don’t even get angry anymore. They are a risk to not only the prisoners they are transporting but also to other drivers,” he said.

Darryl le Cok, who travels 55km one way from Noordhoek to Muizenberg to Blackheath, said: “I am in the trucking business, and it’s frightening to see how the SAPS vehicles drive. I understand the need to get prisoners to courts and back to the prisons on time, but surely they too have to obey the rules of the road and adhere to the speed limit.”

Rob Newman, a motorcyclist who travels 69km a day to get to work from Simon’s Town to Somerset West, said the way SAPS vehicles drivers drove was just “crazy”.

“I don’t think some of those vehicles are even roadworthy. They drive on the wrong side of the road and I am surprised there have not been more deaths,” he said.

Foster said the Police Ombudsman hoped to conclude its investigation by early next month, after which recommendations would be sent to the Provincial Commissioner of SAPS.