GSDM clears allegations

DA councillor Mr Muso Kubheka has been accused of trying to score cheap political points by the Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) leadership after he alleged the municipality wanted to spend millions to buy two vehicles.

Mr Kubheka told a national newspaper that the municipality issued a tender to purchase a Mercedes Benz GLE 250D and a BMW X5 xDrive to the tune of R3-million for the Executive Mayor, Mr Muzi Chirwa, and Speaker for Council, Mr Joshua Nkosi, a move which the DA unsuccessfully tried to oppose last November.

In a checkmate move, GSDM leadership called a media briefing last Friday to clarify the matter.

Addressing the media, Mr Nkosi said Council resolved on 26 July that a new vehicle would be bought for the new Executive Mayor after the Local Government Elections.

The vehicle would be paid for from an approved budget of R1-million.

Funding was approved in the 2016/2017 budget for procurement of vehicles, amounting to R2.5 million with vote number 411/305/110.

He explained that bid no: GSDM 69/2016 was advertised for the supply, delivery, licensing and registration of one new Mercedes Benz GLE 250d 4Matic or equivalent.

The tender closed on 29 August, but no responses were received.

The same bid number was re-advertised for the supply, delivery licensing and registration of one new BMW X5 XDrive 30d SUV or equivalent for use by the Mayor.

The tender closed on 13 September and there were three responses.

The municipality also advised that resolutions reached at the Council meeting were that they would consider the outright purchase option versus the leasing option. Outright purchase may not exceed R921 912 inclusive of VAT in terms of the Municipal Public Office Bearers handbook.

It was also stated clearly that no new vehicle would be bought for the Speaker for Council. Mr Nkosi, who would use the same vehicle as the previous speaker, as it was bought two years ago and its mileage was less than 70 000.

Item C79/07/2016, which was presented at the Council meeting, was that all vehicles not in use and deemed not in use or redundant be disposed of in terms of Section 14(2) of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

Vehicles with mileages in excess of 150 000 km should be traded in for new vehicles and vehicles older than three years should be disposed of with the Accounting Officer’s consultation and approval.

Mr Nkosi said Mr Chirwa had refused the use of a hired vehicle by the administration and opted to use a municipal bakkie since August.

Mr Nkosi voiced their disappointment at Mr Kubheka for failing to use options available to him in terms of the standing orders, which include sending his questions or through the motions where he would have received answers, instead of rushing to the media with an unfounded matter.

Mr Nkosi said Council would deal with the matter and determine whether it was against the Code of Conduct for councillors to speak to the media without permission.