/ 2 January 2011

Where’s the fire, Mr Kgothule?

A Free State minister is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday after he was caught driving at 235km/h.

A Free State minister is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday after he was caught driving at 235km/h, Rapport reported on Sunday.

Dan Kgothule, provincial minister for sport, arts, culture and recreation in the Free State, was caught on Thursday on the N1 highway in the Glen, outside Bloemfontein, speeding in his BMW 745, the newspaper reported.

He was arrested and released on R2 000 bail.

Kgothule’s two spokespersons told the newspaper that it was the first they had heard of the matter and that they were unable to get hold of him.

Kgothule’s speeding broke records, not only during the festive period, but also for the fastest recorded speed in the Glen area, where there are often speed traps on the N1.

Captain Rulene Kuhn said Kgothule was expected to appear in court with other motorists who were arrested on Thursday for driving over 171km/h on the highway.

Sydney Mogaecho, acting director of traffic management in the Free State, told Rapport that 126 people had been arrested in the province over the festive season.

These included 48 for speeding, 50 for drunk driving, and seven for reckless driving.

“The average speed of the motorists arrested was 185km/h.” – Sapa