Time’s up for leased municipal vehicles

All the leased vehicles used by the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality have been returned, as the contract expired, leaving some areas with replacement vehicles that are allegedly not licensed and unroadworthy.

An Aberdeen resident discovered this the hard way when she contacted the local municipal office as she had had no water for two days. She was told initially that they could not help, as they had no vehicle. The next day, two plumbers arrived in a bakkie which they said was on an emergency loan from Graaff-Reinet, and attended to the problem.

Acting spokesperson, Edwardine Abader, confirmed on the first day that the vehicle contract has come to an end, adding that "alternative resources are in place for service delivery to continue" – although, at that point, no alternative was available in Aberdeen.

Requests by the Advertiser to ascertain the total number of vehicles returned have been ignored, but it has been determined that Steyterville lost four, Willowmore and Jansenville three, and Klipplaat, two. Figures for Graaff-Reinet and Aberdeen could not be obtained.

In response to the allegations of unlicensed and unroadworthy vehicles, Abader said that she was aware that the municipality has repaired many of its vehicles and will be procuring more, as per allocations made in the capital budget. She promised to investigate details on the numbers and allocation to the different towns, but no answers were received.

"After consultation with the municipal manager, I have been informed that the municipality reserves comment on queries," said Abader.

From other sources, it has been determined that almost R4,5-million has been allocated in the 2020/2021 budget to purchase two sedans, two 3-ton tipper trucks, and 12 bakkies.