This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
Eastern Cape government officials have racked up traffic fines totaling R423 000 during the last financial year.
In a written response to a parliamentary question Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu revealed that staff from the Health Department amassed 52% of the fines, totaling R223 400.
The other big offenders were the Departments of Education, whose officials collected fines worth R31 850, Transport R31 388 and Social Development R36 195.
Democratic Alliance MPL, Dacre Haddon says he has written to the Marawu to ask her whether all the fines have been paid; whether all the employees who received fines while driving departmental vehicles were made to pay these fines; and whether these offences were committed during the course of duty of the employee.
He says it has come to my attention that some of these vehicles were being used for private purposes when these fines were issued.
Haddon says "with departmental budgets under pressure this gigantic wasteful expenditure amount is irresponsible and an additional expense the province should not be footing at this time."
"Of further concern is that many of the fines were committed by ambulance drivers of Emergency Medical Rescue Services," he said.
"While one appreciates the urgency for ambulances to speed to medical emergencies and vehicle accidents, this is done within the ambit of the law, with flashing lights and sirens," Haddon said.
"According to the information supplied, it must be asked why ambulances are being stopped for speeding and why many of these offences committed by our provincial ambulances are taking place in the Western Cape."
