The government has moved to clarify the legal justification for saying ministers' drivers do not have to pay speeding fines, after Eyewitness News pointed out that part of the law officials relied on had been repealed.

Last week, the government said the Road Traffic Act allowed VIP guards to break the speed limit as they were engaged in civil protection.

However, the Road Traffic Act says the definition of civil protection rests in the Civil Protection Act. This act has been repealed.

Government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi on Sunday said that the Police Service Act covered the ministers' drivers.

"These are people that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) expressly excluded from observing speed limits."

Last year, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said it was acceptable for her convoy to speed if she was late for a meeting.