A number of South African ministers have come under fire
recently for racking up a ridiculous amount of fines,
leaving many South Africans angered by the situation.
The known fine tally thus far for South African ministers
totals R207 740. Susan Shabangu, minister of Mineral Resources, currently
tops the list with fines of R64 060. Minister of Energy, Dipuo Peters has
racked up R39 400. Suprisingly, Justice minister, Jeff Radebe has also
clocked up R34 600 in fines. Further down on the list is the minister of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Petterson with a fine tally of
R30 400. Water and Environmental Affairs minister Edna Molewa has racked
up R12 265 in fines while Science and Technology minister Naledi Pandor
tallies up at R9 800 in fines.
The fines will most likely be waivered as “drivers of
ministerial vehicles were allowed to speed while on official business, provided
the appropriate warning lights and sirens were switched on at the time” says
the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
The department’s spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane said that
the National Road Traffic Act allowed for drivers in special categories to
exceed the general limit. She added that “if a minister's vehicle gets a
speeding fine while being driven by a person conducting his or her civil
protection duties, and after such a person has complied with the legislative
requirements of exercising safety and using a siren, such a fine will be set
aside. If, in the conduct of their duties, it is found that a person engaged in
civil protection exceeds the speed limit without due course, such actions must
be reported and shall be investigated.”
Do you think ministers should be allowed to exceed the speed
limit? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
News Source: News24
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