EThekwini Municipality has denied rumours that it will be purchasing new mayoral vehicles and has urged the public not to be misled by the rumours.
“Any speculation that the city will purchase a new mayoral fleet is absolute lies. There is no council decision to buy new vehicles,” said City Manager Sibusiso Sithole.
Before any council vehicle is purchased or replaced, a conditional assessment is done. This includes ascertaining the mileage of the vehicle, mechanical condition and vehicle maintenance history. Thereafter, a report is sent to the relevant committee as well as the Executive Committee and full council. There must be compelling reasons for such requests prior to the purchasing of new vehicles,” he said.
The denial comes after the DA’s Zwakele Mncwango’s motion against the purchase of a new mayoral luxury vehicle was rejected by Speaker Lekgoa Mapena at a council meeting.
“We moved this motion following reliable reports that the new Mayor, Zandile Gumede was looking to purchase new vehicles, to form part of the mayoral ‘fleet’,” Mncwango said in a media statement, adding the Metro spent R2-million in 2014 on the current fleet of cars which he said remain in good use.
