The IFP is appalled to learn that The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) hired 40 cars from Avis at a rate of R235,00 per day, per vehicle, for The National Intervention Unit officers to utilize in performance of their duties.

IFP Spokesperson on Police, Mr Velaphi Ndlovu, MP said, "It is shocking that the RTMC has given traffic officers cars that are unmarked, have no sirens, no number plate recognition devices and no communication radios for them to use on the roads in the performance of their mandates.

Ndlovu continued, "It is illegal to use a private car to stop cars on the roads. It is also illegal for The Road Traffic Management Corporation to hire cars for use for government purposes without a sign that the vehicle belongs to government. It is absurd to learn that the Department of Police allowed such a thing to happen. The Road Traffic Management Corporation is supposed to buy new cars. They have a budget for this purpose. This practice puts drivers' lives in danger as it opens gaps for hijackers to use hired cars and pose as traffic officers in order to perform any form of crime on our roads."

The IFP calls on The Road Traffic Management Corporation and the Department of Police to immediately stop the use of unmarked private cars by traffic officers on the roads and this practice must be investigated immediately.

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IFP Parliamentary Caucus' Media Liaison Officer, Ms. Boniswa Tiwe, 072 497 1252