MECs choose cheaper cars

Gauteng's top politicians appear to have heeded the call by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane to curb spending on luxury cars.

It has taken The Star a month to get a complete list of vehicles being driven by Mokonyane and her 10 MECs.

The list shows that none have bought new cars since the infamous R920 000 Mercedes-Benz purchased by former agriculture and rural development MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

So far, no departments have indicated plans to splash out on new vehicles, and the MECs are driving their predecessors' cars or hiring from the government's fleet (G-Fleet).

Mokonyane is using a 2007 BMW 750 which belonged to earlier premiers Mbhazima Shilowa and Paul Mashatile. Her office has said that "a decision has not been taken" on whether to buy a new car. She is assigned two alternating drivers by the police's VIP Protection Unit.

All but one of Gauteng MECs are driven around in BMWs, with Roads and Transport MEC Bheki Nkosi using an Audi Q7. At least five departments hire from the G-Fleet, with some contracts due to run until 2011.

G-Fleet's Thando Zungu said MECs pay about R23 500 a month to hire their cars. The vehicles are replaced when they have done 120 000km, and are fully owned by the fleet. At this rate, an MEC would spend about R280 000 a year on his or her transport.

According to the ministerial handbook, a minister or MEC is allowed to buy a car costing about 70 percent of his or her annual remuneration package.

In the case of Nkomo-Ralehoko, the purchase of her Mercedes-Benz fell within the rules. However, she was dismissed after it turned out that the car had not been insured before being hijacked less than 24 hours after it was collected from the dealership. There have also been allegations of fraud within the department surrounding the deal.

The "WaBenzi frenzy" has struck several ministries, with the latest being Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, who bought a pair of matching Mercedes-Benzes worth a total of R1.4 million.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has come under fire for his two BMW X5s worth R1.3m, including R200 000 for extras. The DA estimates that the total spent on new government vehicles was almost R20m. The party has dubbed the scandal "cargate".

But DA Gauteng leader Jack Bloom on Sunday congratulated Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu for setting a good example by driving her 2006 BMW 5 series. The car is on loan from G-Fleet.

"I think this is an appropriate vehicle, recognising her status but not extravagant when money is desperately short to fix our hospitals and clinics," Bloom said. "I hope her colleagues take note."

Cars used by other MECs include a BMW 530, a BMW X5, a BMW 520, a BMW 520d, a BMW 550i and an Audi Q7.


o This article was originally published on page 3 of The Star on August 17, 2009