Takes one to know one, Bheki

"He is a self-made, arrogant, non-accountable individual who purports to be a good citizen and I will dare to argue that he is also a racist."

This is how KZN's transport and community safety (sic) MEC Bheki Cele (centre, sporting the 'car-guard' garb) describes a whistle-blowing motorist who got shoved off the fast lane by a blue-light motorcade speeding at over 160 km/h.

Cele then had the gall to demand the particulars of this whistle-blower from the newspaper that ran the story. Apparently this motorist is a reckless hazard to society by following the speeding convoy and using his cellphone -- to take pictures of the event. It seems like you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a self-important politician in South Africa.

The sheer arrogance of this statement borders on the narcissistic. Since when are public servants so incredibly important that they are above the law? What nerve. Is Cele arrogant? Check.

Next, he refuses to face up to the concept of responsibility -- instead demonising the person who brought it to public attention. In this instance, is Cele a 'non-accountable individual'? Check.

The race card is getting insipid and stupefyingly dull. Is seems that whenever anyone is accused of anything, this gets thrown out. How can Cele even have a clue if he's still demanding to know who the whistle-blower is? This country has a long way to go if politicians are instantly deemed the martyrs of racial assault whenever they're criticised. It would seem that colour is still the main filter through which politicians view the public. So, is Cele a racist? Check.

Personally I don't have a problem with a speeding convoy if there's an emergency -- but I have my doubts about whether being late for a meeting qualifies as one. The crux lies in how this matter was handled and the irony of the attempted 'white-wash' (bad pun intended). I suggest a tad more humility, coupled with a sense of responsibility towards society from our current leadership.