ANC mayor splashes out R1.2 million on a Mercedes Benz SUV days after being elected

·7 Sep 2016

The DA has accused the ANC of wasteful and fruitless expenditure after it noted that new ANC mayor of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality splashed out on a ‘lavish’ Mercedes Benz SUV, only days after the local elections.

The party accused the ANC of placing their own comfort ahead of the interests of the people.

The DA said it has written to the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Makoma Makhurupetje, requesting that he probe wasteful and fruitless expenditure at Greater Tzaneen Municipality after it wasted more than R1.6 million purchasing two new vehicles for the new mayor, Maripe Mangena and its speaker.

“The purchase happened despite the municipality owing creditors more than R20 million that has since led to the sheriff of the court attaching the municipal assets last Friday.

“The municipality purchased a lavish Mercedes Benz GLE 350 worth a staggering R1.2 million for the mayor and another R480,000 to purchase another vehicle for the speaker,” the DA said in a statement.

The DA said it opposed this decision that was taken during a council meeting because the purchase was not budgeted for.

“To spend over R1.6 million on luxury cars is a direct insult to the poorest members of the community. It is obvious that ANC cadres will continue to place their self-interest first before the interests of the people,” it said.

On Tuesday, the mayor of the DA-led City of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, put a stop to the purchase and lease of luxury vehicles for politicians.

No new luxury cars will be bought or leased for politicians in Tshwane, the DA mayor said in a statement.

If vehicles currently owned by Tshwane require replacement, sensible and low-cost vehicles will be procured.

“A Hyundai i20 or Toyota Corolla can do the same job for a politician as an expensive sedan,” Msimanga said.