Last Sunday afternoon at around 4.30 I was driving west along Carifesta Avenue, when I heard the approaching sounds of a siren and almost instantaneously was overtaken by four speeding presidential vehicles including the one bearing the presidential crest. Having duly pulled up, I then continued on my way when, just before the traffic lights at Camp and Lamaha Streets, I saw one of the cars with its driver’s door open and the driver under a tree chatting with a young lady.
As if that were not bad enough, as I proceeded along Lamaha Street I saw another of the presidential vehicles veer dangerously towards a man who, as I got closer, I recognised as a mechanic I know by the name ‘Cappie.’ A moment later the driver alighted from his vehicle and approached Cappie threateningly. I stopped and warned the driver against assaulting the man whereupon I was told by the driver of the lead vehicle to go my way. I did not until I was satisfied that no direct harm had been done to the man.
Taking the behaviour of the drivers collectively, I could not help but wonder whether these state-owned, expensive vehicles and their staff may have been returning from a fete. One wonders too whether there is a protocol regarding the conduct of the drivers of the presidential vehicles and at the abuses and lawlessness in the name of the President. For those who pay their taxes and abide by the law such behaviour is an affront to good sense, decency and the rule of law.