MALEMA ’ S CALL TO MADONSELA
EFF leader wants probe into premier s R5m cars
ECONOMIC Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema is to lodge a complaint with the public protector against Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza for spending R5-million on luxury vehicles last year.
EFF spokesman Mpumelelo Masina yesterday said his party had reasons to believe that there was misappropriation of taxpayers’ money when the vehicles were bought. Malema is in the province for the next two days to canvass support for his party.
Mabuza is accused of splashing out four times more than he was supposed to on three vehicles – a Range Rover SUV at a cost of R1.91-million, an Audi A8 at more than R1-million and a BMW X5 at about R1-million.
The Range Rover is the fourth official vehicle bought for the premier since his inauguration in 2009.
The first vehicle was a Lexus, which replaced a similar model used by the former premier, Thabang Makwetla.
Mabuza ’ s office has defended the purchase of these vehicles.
His spokesman Zibonele Mncwango said: “We would like to put it clear that premier Mabuza never bought a vehicle in the first two years of his term of office.
“The vehicle is currently at the government garage awaiting disposal. A Range Rover SUV was successively purchased in 2013 to allow the honourable premier to be able to do his work efficiently and effectively.
“Unfortunately it also ended up having mechanical problems. The vehicle has since been traded in with a similar one. Further an Audi A8 was purchased in 2013 as a backup car to assist in the event the Range Rover has problems or is taken for service,” Mncwango said.
He confirmed that the BMW X5 was given to the premier's bodyguards.
However, DA leader in the province, Anthony Benadie, said though the revised ministerial handbook had not been made public yet, the 2007 handbook clearly stipulates that a premier’s vehicle may not exceed 70% of his/her annual salary, and that they may only be provided with one official vehicle.
“As the 2013/14 presidential deter- mination puts a premier’s annual salary at R1.982-million, it means that premier Mabuza could only purchase one vehicle at a cost not exceeding R1.38-million,” he said.
“The purchase is in blatant contrast of the premier’s portrayal of himself as someone who cares about the plight of Mpumalanga’s people.
“It is further proof that ANC politicians regard public funds as their own personal expense accounts.”