Vavi nabbed at 207km/h

Former Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi has been arrested for speeding.

Vavi was nabbed for driving at 207km/h on the R24 freeway near Edenvale in Ekurhuleni on Sunday morning, according to sources. The speed limit on the busy road is 120km/h.

Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) spokesman Wilfred Kgasago would neither confirm nor deny that Vavi was arrested, only saying they had arrested six people on Sunday.

“We arrest people and there are legalities involved (and so) we can’t issue names until they appear in court. We can’t do that,” he said.

In all, he said, the EMPD arrested six people for speeding between 5.30am and 11.30am. It is understood that Vavi was later released on bail.

The outspoken Vavi was among the prominent people who led a march against corruption in Pretoria last Wednesday. The marches took place simultaneously in Durban and Cape Town as well.

Vavi was expelled from Cosatu in March for rebelling against the federation’s decision to expel metalworkers union Numsa – bringing a painful end to his 16 years at the helm of the labour federation. He had earlier been suspended for having a sexual encounter with a junior office staffer at Cosatu’s Joburg offices.

Vavi isn’t the first high-profile person to be nabbed for alleged errant driving.

In December 2013, EFF leader Julius Malema was arrested after he was caught driving at 215km/h in his BMW X5 series in a 120km/h zone on the N1.

He was released on bail of R5 000 in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court.

In 2009, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, while he was the Shanduka Group executive chairman, was fined R3 000 after he was caught speeding in Midrand.

Ramaphosa, who had been on his way back from an ANC meeting, was caught driving at 162km/h in a 120km/h zone.

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, controversial musician Steve Hofmeyr and Thembi Seete are among the prominent persons who have been arrested for reckless and negligent driving. – The Star