Mayor sticks to the limit
"The MEC said the Executive Mayor was entitled to a council-owned vehicle of R787 000"
The proposed budget for the procurement of a mayoral vehicle in Msukaligwa Local Municipality was met with mixed feelings by members of opposition parties in a council meeting recently.
Speaking for the Democratic Alliance during the meeting, Cllr H.F.Swart cautioned that the earmarked R1.4 million budget was too much to spend on a vehicle, considering the challenges the municipality is facing.
He requested that a cheaper model with the necessary extras be considered instead of breaking the bank for the mayoral vehicle.
Responding to the Highvelder’s request for comment regarding the matter, municipal spokesman Mr Mandla Zwane said the municipality and the Executive Mayor in particular would abide by the recommendation of the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
The MEC said the Executive Mayor was entitled to a council-owned vehicle of R787 000.
Explaining the conditions and circumstances of purchasing a new mayoral vehicle, Mr Zwane said the municipality may purchase council-owned vehicles directly from manufacturers and/or their dealerships only when the currently provided council-owned vehicle had reached 120 000 km or five years, whichever comes first.
He added that the total purchase price per vehicle had to include VAT, accessories and a comprehensive motor maintenance contract or plan of up to 120 000 km or five years.When asked about the R1.4 million price tag for a mayoral vehicle, Mr Zwane said the amount was just an estimate by the finance department.
Other announcements that came from the meeting were that the municipality had moved out of the disclaimer to a qualified audit opinion. However, Mr Zwane said details of the audit opinion would be tabled during the next council meeting in the presence of the Auditor-General.
