‘Absolute madness’

‘R4 million’ spent on new cars slammed by ethekwini executive council members

THE top brass in ethekwini Municipality took delivery of brand new BMW sedans and SUVS this week because their current vehicles were deemed “too old and faulty”.

The move to procure the new fleet for the leadership has come under scrutiny as opposition parties claim that the motion was not brought before the executive committee (Exco) and full council, where multimillion-rand procurements are discussed for approval.

It also comes at a time when the country is in an economic meltdown and ratepayers are struggling to meet their financial obligations.

The city procured six new BMWS, which includs a 5 Series, two 3 Series and three X3s, for Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, deputy Mayor Belinda Scott and Speaker Weziwe Thusi for their official use.

Kaunda has been spotted being chauffeured in the new black BMW sedan marked NDM 1, a number plate reserved for the city’s first citizen.

Opposition parties said the delivery of vehicles came as a surprise as “nobody knew” about the procurement in the council.

But the acting city manager, Sipho Cele, defended the purchase, saying there was no need for executive and full council approval since the purchase was a routine replacement of vehicles.

He said the six vehicles “were valued at about R4 million” altogether, although a check on car dealership websites show the cost for each vehicle ranges between R800000 to more than R1m, depending on its features and specifications.

Cele said the cars used by the mayor, his deputy and speaker were more than 10 years old and were deemed faulty.

He said the procurement was within the parameters of National Treasury guidelines and the tender was advertised for procurement.

“We followed the Treasury and co-operative governance regulations which stipulates that vehicles for officials should not exceed R700 000. The vehicles purchased cost between R500 000 and R600 000 each, and there was no need to go through Exco and full council, according to section 32,” he said.

Section 23 of the Municipal Finance Management Act deals with procurement of goods and service under contracts secured by other organs of state.

Mdu Nkosi, IFP executive member, criticised the timing, saying the city had pressing issues in the fight against Covid-19 than buying new cars.

He said the matter was never officially discussed by the city’s executive committee but the mayor had indicated that the cars were too old.

“I cannot deny that the fleet was too old but no report has been presented to us indicating that.

“When we heard the rumours that the city was planning to buy new cars for the leadership, we requested a full report on these cars.

“We are still waiting for that report. Even if the cars were deemed unsafe and faulty, the mayor should have waited until the situation got back to normal before procuring new cars.

“In May, the city chief financial officer indicated that the municipality was running out of funds, so the question is, was buying new cars necessary?” asked Nkosi.

Nicole Graham, DA caucus leader, said she was also shocked as an Exco member that the municipality had procured new cars for the leadership. She said nothing had been brought before the council.

“The purchase of new cars now is absolute madness. The mayor, deputy and speaker were all supposed to be senior leaders to stabilise the municipality. For them to buy new cars in the time of crises would be absolutely madness considering the city’s cash flow situation,” Graham said.

“This is something we will follow up but unfortunately, this is how the ANC operates. It is business as usual regardless of the pandemic.”

Mluleki Mtungwa, mayoral spokesperson, maintained that the city followed Cogta and National Treasury guidelines on the procurement of the fleet for the office bearers which set the upper limits to R700000 and the vehicles procured range between R500000 and R600000.

“Yes, the municipality has procured vehicles for the mayor, speaker and deputy mayor which were long overdue for replacement.

“This is an administrative issue which does not require the approval of Exco or council.

“The opposition is free to request the report through the Speaker if they need clarity on the matter,” said Mtungwa.