MBOMBELA – Ehlanzeni District Municipality (EDM) has decided to purchase a new official vehicle valued at approximately R900 000 for the executive mayor, Cllr Letta Shongwe.
Local government elections are expected to be called in May next year, raising questions about the need for the Mercedes Benz ML 350.
The finance manager submitted a report to the municipal council recently, “to inform council on the deviation from the normal procurement processes for the purchase of the new mayoral vehicle”.
A Mercedes-Benz E350 was purchased for the mayor’s official duties in 2011. Now it has 153 000 kilometres on the clock and is starting to experience “mechanical problems,” according to the report.
Earlier this year council approved the budget to replace it.
A Mercedes-Benz ML 350 was “considered the most suitable,” due partially to its safety features, reliability and performance on gravel and tarred roads.
Since Mercedes-Benz South Africa is the sole supplier of the vehicle, advertising would have technically yielded the same results as not advertising, since only authorised dealerships would have been able to respond.
Formal written quotations were requested instead, in line with EDM’s supply-chain policy as the goods were only available from a single provider.
EDM, which has obtained clean audit opinions from the Auditor General for five consecutive years, selected the least expensive deal from the three quotes obtained, paying R901 482 excluding VAT.
But DA councillor in EDM Mr Gravett Herbst says he fails to see the necessity for the purchase.
“In a few months the new mayor will insist on a new vehicle.”
He argues that it needs attention, but servicing it would be cheaper in the interim, instead of buying a new one which he expects will be replaced once a new mayor is elected.
Spokesman for EDM, Mr Lucky Ngomane says since its service plan has expired. the regular service costs have gradually been increasing and the book value is severely depreciated given the quality of roads in the district area.
“It must also be noted that the said vehicle has lately been experiencing mechanical problems and as such exerts a risk factor on the life of the mayor and her VIP protection team.”
He adds that the purchase is not linked to the term of office of the incumbent, “but is much based on the reliability and the safety of the car at that particular point”.
Moreover, rental costs would much higher compared to buying it as a council asset.
Herbst points out that while EDM have budgeted for the vehicle, the entire allocated funding does not need to be used.
“With half that money another decent car can be purchased. Council is not compelled to buy such a luxury vehicle, especially not to be used on the poor roads. There are so many people in need, who could have benefited from the money being spent elsewhere.
“Buying this car is not need, but greed.”
