Mayor gets new ‘million-rand’ car
The new vehicle is an ML 350 Mercedes and was purchased using a State Tender to the value of R952,125.39, compared to the listed price of R1,056,292.40
The reason the municipality purchased a new vehicle for the mayor was because of a recent breakdown that occurred with the mayor’s old car while on the N3. The mayor’s Audi Q7 experienced a mechanical failure on the N3 next to the Pavilion and was brought back to Ladysmith. Thereafter, it went for major repairs. Immediately after it was released after repairs, it experienced mechanical faults again on the same day on the Pieters Road and was once again towed to Autohaus.
The mileage on the Audi Q7 was 186,514 kilometres. Consideration was then made to purchase a new vehicle after financial consultations were explored. Noting that the mayor’s security cannot be compromised, including that of all councillors, the best option was for the municipality to purchase a new vehicle.
The new vehicle is an ML 350 Mercedes and was purchased using a State Tender to the value of R952,125.39, compared to the listed price of R1,056,292.40.
The State is contracted with various motor dealers and council has no influence in determining which motor dealer should be allocated the sale. The Audi Q7 will be allocated to the deputy mayor, once all repairs have been done and it is reliable.
