Bolsheviks Party demands investigation on FTLM mayor’s BMW X5
Mogotji said the BMW X5 used by Maila is worth more than R1m.
The Bolsheviks Party has accused Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality’s (FTLM) mayor, Eddie Maila, of cruising in an expensive car while his citizens lack basic needs.
“Maila should justify the purchase of a BMW X5 while so many residents in his municipality continue to live without basic services,” said party leader Seun Mogotji.
According to the Municipal Finance Management Act no 56 of 2003, the threshold limit for vehicle purchases relating to official use by political office bearers must not exceed R700 000 or 70% of the total annual remuneration package for the different grades of the municipalities.
Mogotji said the BMW X5 used by Maila is worth more than R1m.
“I am displeased to report to you that this mayor has misused municipal funds in clear contravention of the laws of the land by buying a black X5 and a white BMW 3 Series sedan as his official fleet. He is the only mayor in Limpopo using an X5. Even the Limpopo MECs, Sekhukhune District Municipality’s executive mayor, ministers and deputy ministers travel in BMW X3s,” he said.
Maila’s backup car, the BMW 3 Series, always drives behind him. “He is using two cars. It’s a convoy. There is no need for convoys. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money,” said Mogotji.
Speaking on Limpopo’s commercial radio, Capricorn FM, Mogotji said they have reported the matter to the Public Protector, Special Investigative Unit, the presidency and the Hawks, to have Maila, the municipality manager, Mogaramedi Makgata, and the FTLM investigated.
While responding to these allegations on Capricorn Talk, FTLM’s communications manager, Thabiso Mokoena, said the car was purchased by the council, not Maila.
“The car was bought in January 2022 and the decision was approved by the council. Why is Mogotji bringing this issue in now?” he asked.
He could not disclose the vehicle’s price, but promised to do so when he had the figures. “At this moment, I don’t want to give figures that are not accurate.
“The law says if the municipality has financial muscles to provide resources to the councillors, they are permitted to do so,” Mokoena said during the show.
Steelburger/Lydenburg News forwarded queries to Mokoena regarding the price of the mayoral vehicles. “This matter has been reported to the law enforcement agencies. It is sub judice, and we implore everybody to give those agencies time and space to do their work. We therefore reserve our right to comment in order to comply with the law,” Mokoena responded.
The Bolsheviks Party said the splurging on the vehicle is a complete disgrace, and that the car should be immediately sold.
“The money used in procuring the vehicle should have been used to complete unfinished projects in the FTLM. An access road in Ga-Komane in Leolo (Ward 12) is unfinished, and the municipality spent a whopping R11m on its maintenance and upgrades. The money should have been used to complete the road.”
Mogotji said residents use donkeys to carry bags of maize meal in Ga-Komane, as there is no access road.
