LegalTraffic Fines

Justice Project SA to take Blue Light Brigade Petition to World Health Organization


JOHANNESBURG – JPSA would like to confirm that as at Tuesday 3 January 2012, no response has been received to our Memorandum and Petition with respect to bringing a halt to “blue light brigades” which was hand delivered to the National Department of Transport on 1 December 2011 and gave the Minister until 31 December 2011 to act.

As a result of his inaction a letter has been drafted and delivered to the World Health Organisation at the United Nations in line with what was stated in our Memorandum. Other avenues will also be pursued in due course. Prior to delivery of the letter taking place, we once again checked our post box to make certain that no response had been received. No other form of contact has been made either.

Whilst we are not surprised that the Minister has chosen to ignore the petition which was signed by 46,646 people, we are nonetheless disappointed that our Minister of Transport has seen fit to do so, given the fact that this petition came about as a result of the crashing into and serious injury of Thomas Ferreira, on 5 November 2011 and whom 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’s driver proceeding through a red traffic light at speed, after switching on little more than a blue flashing light in his unmarked BMW X5 SUV. To date, we have not heard of any criminal charges having been brought against Mr Semietsi Joseph Modomai, although we have heard that statements have been taken from witnesses to the crash.

By not so much as responding in any way whatsoever, the Minister has overtly shown his contempt for our organisation, 46,646 people and the safety of road users of this country. It is also notable that neither he, nor any other person from the National Department of Transport has so much as taken a minute to offer any sympathies to the Ferreira family or so much as mentioned this incident for that matter.

To date, no financial assistance has been forthcoming to the Ferreira family with respect to Thomas’ medical bills (shortfalls) as was promised 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”.

As a result, a trust fund was formed in December 2011 in order to assist the family with the medical shortfalls. The details of that trust account are as follows:

Thomas Ferreira Relief Trust
Standard Bank Melville
Account Number: 037359363
Branch Code: 006105
Savings Account

Howard Dembovsky – 082 418 6210 – email howard@jp-sa.org

Best Regards,

Howard Dembovsky
National Chairman – Justice Project South Africa (NPC)

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