What should be a "blue light" emergency?

[Marq]

the big question is what are you gona do about?

Ah - a challenge - you first Murdock.

I see Dave went the blue light angle. I went the politician angle. Just take them out of the equation and no blue light needed.

• Vote for politicians to stay at home, leave us all alone and let the world right itself from this current economic crisis and crime crises and any other crisis created by them.
• Ban black cars from using roads.
• Get COPE to list this as a source of aggravation for the people that needs to be addressed. (I suppose with Lekota asking for protection will not realise this goal)

[murdock]

i was a visiting friend in new germany on wed. afternoon... it so happened that when i left 3 X5 all black with blue lights were pulling out of a driveway...a police officer stepped in to the road and stopped the traffic...i ended up behind them all the way till knowles centre watching them drive like absolute A holes all over the road...well i must say i am impressed with the public not one person made any effort to move out their way...by the time i got to the M7 they were still wedged in the traffic in front of knowles...well done to all those people blocked the way...now they are becoming real easy targets...stuck in the traffic.

[duncan drennan]

well i must say i am impressed with the public not one person made any effort to move out their way...by the time i got to the M7 they were still wedged in the traffic in front of knowles...well done to all those people blocked the way...now they are becoming real easy targets...stuck in the traffic.

This attitude really doesn't help. Blocking vehicles using emergency lights (whether for valid reasons or not) potentially puts other peoples lives at risk.

Yes, there is clearly abuse of "blue lights" (lots of reports of this from KZN...) Yes it is a royal PITA. No, that does not justify blocking vehicles.

Blocking vehicles just makes the situation worse, encourages even more use of blue lights, frustrates the drivers, and leads to situations that could endanger peoples lives. What if there is a genuine emergency?

The only way to fix this is to report abuse and get these people out of the government.

[murdock]

this is not the first time...i have witnessed blue light abuse on numerous occassions from not only the black vehicles but police cars as well and i once followed 3 ambulances which it turns out were being delivered after work was carried out on them at capalano industries.

these vips are costing us the tax payer over 300 million a year...i think i will on enjoying the blockades while the public are frustrated thanks duncan...you be a good boy and move...i take it you dont spend hours in the traffic like some of us fools.

[murdock]

someone made a valid statements last night...i thought we lived in a democratic country why do these officials need VIP protection and 100 million rand fences around their properties...with the current state of crime we should all be applying for VIP protection...it is the public who are victims...but they say crime is on the decrease

excuse me i am just angry again...venting my frustration.

[Dave A]

VIP protection happens all over the world, so that in itself isn't such a big deal. But taking it down to some provincial level politico in charge of provincial backroads - is that really a VIP?

I think:
It's not crime. It's not fear of somebody hating their politics. It's ego - pure and simple.

[Dave A]

Radebe told the Sunday Independent newspaper that motorists were also to blame for the behaviour of VIP drivers.

Nxumalo allegedly shot out the tyre of a car while on his way to pick up Radebe, causing a head-on collision that injured eight people.

Radebe said he had to get to Molweni outside Durban - 12 hours after a storm - to see how he could save lives.

"I'm not condoning VIP driver's behaviour, but I have experienced rude behaviour from motorists. They seldom give way and for no reason show us rude signs. Others when they see us coming, speed up and then brake unexpectedly," he was quoted as saying.

"Our drivers are trained to protect us. We are heading to elections and they need to ensure our safety. If a driver behaves like that, how do they know we are not being ambushed? Their reaction is to just push aside and shoot."
extract from story on IOL here

You just never know when that first aid training will pay off

[murdock]

looks like they were rushing to save lives again on sunday driving through hillcrest around lunch time or maybe just late for church unfortunately i was towing a 1 ton load what i am suppose to do swerve and cause a huge accident...they came at me on the wrong side of the road on a blind corner.

a tip for anyone who feels maybe your life is being put in danger or they start shooting at you... just brake slightly let the the other vehicle go in front enough to ram it just behind the back wheel...this has amazing results.

here is the big question how many of these vehicles have been ambused since 1994? and how many civilians being shot in taxi wars...in their homes...in front of their children? were are their VIPs...i am not going to comment anymore on this subject it just makes me angry.

[Chatmaster]

I know this is a hot around the collar topic, but I just want to give my opinion about this issue.

VIP protection is essential for stability in any country. Especially in SA where the assassination of certain leaders can lead into a much bigger bloodbath amongst civilians.

Becoming a VIP protection specialist requires a very special person that also entails training that includes the development of a special character and has a lot to do with pride of your position. The selection process for these people were very tough in my days and included all kinds of special tests that included aptitude and IQ tests.

VIP protection specialists would assess a situation and will react according to their assessment of a situation. The reaction based on their assessment places the VIP's value above all else. Essentially you are trained to die for the VIP and to keep them safe no matter what happens to the members of the public or anyone else. That is why training requires for the bodyguard to be very accurate in their assessments but also not to take unnessasary chances, because a life is at risk.

Specific requirements are set for their transport from the engine capacity to safety measures whilst driving. Routes are planned with many safe houses along the route as well as different roads to use in order to be prepared for any eventuality. When it comes to the security of the VIP, the bodyguard is in charge and the VIP has no say in it whatsoever, or that is how it supposed to be.

I remember protecting a Ambassador's wife for a week, years ago. Needless to say we had words within the first hour I was there, when she thought she could sent me to the shop to buy some groceries for her. I refused and told her to step away from the window, needless to say, she was not happy at all.

Threat assessments are a very important part of VIP protection. Before a person should get VIP protection (regardless of who they are) there needs to be a threat assessment done that says that VIP protection are warranted and at what level.

VIP protection Specialists have a different frame of mind. They think differently and view people differently. If they are put in a situation where they do not belong, they will definitely overreact. In the public view they are weird, arrogant and dangerous and being part of the public today I can completely understand why people feel this way about them.

All of the above being said, I feel I must raise my opinion about two things.

The events that has taken place in the past months with regards to VIP Protection and the reaction of the public.

The events:

• I have been shocked and ashamed of the VIP protection industry with the bad press they have received in the past months.
• It is clear to me that the VIP protection officers that are being used has no or poor training in VIP Protection and I am truly shocked at the state of affairs within their ranks. In no way would any VIP Protection Specialist react in the shameful manner many of them did in the time I was there. Standards were high and any kind of transgression like the ones we saw would cost you your position in a very proud division.
• It is clear to me that whoever is in charge of this division has no management capability, no proper experience and/or training in VIP protection or at the very least haven't got the right personality profile for the position.
• Threat assessments by NIA and SAPS are not being applied to assign VIP units, this causes VIP protection specialists with training to protect people that are truly under threat to be put in situations where they do not belong, status symbols. They are not jewellery!
• Having bodyguards has become a status symbol by politicians that watch way to many movies instead of doing their jobs.

The next issue I would like to address is the reaction of the public towards the motorcades and VIP's in general.

• Get out of their way, never challenge them, you will not win, that is guaranteed.
• You have no idea what the threat assessment is for the said VIP, rather cooperate with them, you might cause a calm situation to turn dangerous as it is.
• Remember, they are trained to protect the life of their VIP at all costs, you have no right to play games with them and then complain if they stick a gun in your face. That is what they are trained to do. Next time you see them, ask yourself if you are willing to die for the person they are protecting, if your answer is no, remember they have no choice in the matter, they are doing their job.

My final paragraph is aimed at my employees within government that are using these people as status symbols. You are not worthy of these guys as they are much more important than you. You are merely a slave of the South African public and we do not regard you as important enough to die for. Rather except the fact that you are merely that and nothing more. If you need to feel important you lack the leadership qualities required for the position that you occupy. Your duty is to do your job not to look important, you cannot do both!

[Dave A]

VIP policemen travelling in convoy must respect road users and stick to their duties, KwaZulu-Natal finance minister and provincial ANC chairperson Zweli Mkhize said on Sunday.

Speaking to the South African Press Association at Durban's Sun Coast hotel, he said it was "embarrassing and unacceptable" that policemen, who are meant to uphold the law, were instead harassing road users.

"The police who drive in those cars are taught the rules of the road, they are taught certain things to ensure safety, and when and how to use blue lights."
full story from M&G here

Well, at least he is embarrassed