Despite looming power cuts, the council brought a new set of wheels for the Executive Mayor Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali.
While Eskom is revving in the red about the R1.3-billion the municipality owes for electricity, the municipality forked out R710 000 for the mayor’s brand spanking new Audi Q7.
According to the local municipality the Lexus she used left her stranded next to the road twice and this necessitated the purchase of the new luxury SUV.
Executive Mayor of Emalahleni, Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali.
It is déjà vu because only a year ago there was a huge fight in council about the purchase of a new vehicle. The situation was similar to now with Eskom breathing down the municipality’s neck.
The council then explained that the Lexus reached 123 000km and its motor plan was extended to 150 000km. Their projections were that the car will pass the 150 000km benchmark soon. The council defended their decision last year and said in terms of council policy and the ministerial handbook on official vehicles, a car should be replaced after it reached 150 000km.
After the 150 000km is reached maintenance costs normally start to accelerate whilst maintenance plans are becoming nearly unaffordable and insurance especially in respect of its use for a political office bearer rises sharply. According to the municipality, the Lexus is out of the maintenance plan
“It is costly for the municipality to maintain the vehicle in its current condition,” said the municipal spokesperson, Mr Kingdom Mabuza.
He said the new Audi has been budgeted for, and the item was taken to council and during the Izimbizo the item was presented to communities where, according to Mabuza, there was no objection.
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