Transport minister ignores JPSA petition

The minister, said the JPSA's statement, ignored the organisation's request and "[a]s result of [the minister's] inaction, a letter has been drafted and delivered to the World Health Organisation at the United Nations."

The JPSA said it was disappointed that the minister of transport has not responded to the petition which was signed by 46,646 people, given the fact that the petition came about as a result of an incident involving the driver of the Housing MEC for Gauteng, whose car hit and seriously injured Thomas Ferreira, on 5 November 2011. Ferreira is still in a semi-comatose state in a rehabilitation centre.

"The crash was allegedly caused by the driver of the Housing MEC for Gauteng proceeding through a red traffic light at speed, after switching on little more than a blue flashing light in his unmarked BMW X5 SUV," said the statement. "To date, we have not heard of any criminal charges having been brought against [the driver]." By not responding to the JPSA's petition, "the minister has overtly shown his contempt for our organisation, [the 46,646 people who signed the petition] and the safety of road users of this country."

The statement also notes that neither [the minister], nor any other person from the National Department of Transport, offered sympathies to the Ferreira family, mentioned the incident, or offered any financial assistance with respect to shortfalls in Ferreira's medical bills, in spite of promises made by Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane. "The spokesperson for MEC Humphrey Mmemezi's office has told the media that their office will be meeting with the Ferreira Family 'in the New Year'," the JPSA statement said.

For more information, go to www.jp-sa.org/media.asp