Mabuza’s office defends the purchase of expensive cars
There were times when the Premier’s security was challenged as he was even involved in two accidents due to a lack of advance vehicles for his protectors. It should also be noted that Mpumalanga is indeed a rural province and that the premier’s work is not only in the urban areas
NELSPRUIT – The office of Premier David Mabuza has responded to media reports about the splashing of public funds to buy vehicles for him.
National media reported on Friday that at least one of the vehicles was bought a few weeks after Finance Minister Mr Pravin Gordhan announced that measures to curb government spending would be put in place. These included cost limits on official cars which would be standardised and bulk purchasing used to reduce costs.
“We would like to put it clear that Mabuza never bought a vehicle in the first two years of his term of office. In actual fact, he used the vehicle that was being utilised by the former Premier Mr Thabanga Makwetla (which was a Lexus LS 460) up until the same vehicle started giving problems.
“It was only in 2011 that the Premier bought a car, a similar sedan, which regrettably ended up having mechanical problems as it had also accumulated a huge mileage. The vehicle is currently at the government garage awaiting disposal,” his spokesman Mr Zibonele Mncwango said.
A Range Rover SUV was bought last year, but experienced mechanical problems too. It has since been traded in for a similar one.
“An Audi A-8 was then purchased as a back-up car to assist when the Range Rover gave problems or had to be taken for a service.
“We wish to state that all processes and regulations were followed in purchasing both vehicles for the Premier. It should be noted that on a number of occasions, he had to do his work utilising borrowed vehicles from the mayors and some members of the executive council.”
Mncwango added that Mabuza made use of vehicles of MEC’s and that of Mr Ndaweni Mahlangu of Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.
“There were times when the Premier’s security was challenged as he was even involved in two accidents due to a lack of advance vehicles for his protectors. It should also be noted that Mpumalanga is indeed a rural province and that the premier’s work is not only in the urban areas.”
He admitted that Mabuza had also bought himself a BMW X5. “This vehicle was given to the protectors as the allocation and the delivery of a VIP vehicle from the police to our province was delayed and yet the Premier’s guards had no vehicle.
“The need for an off-road vehicle and a back-up one would always be a necessity considering the Premier’s scope of work and security around his life,” Mncwango concluded.
