Ghetto-fabulous wheels for eThekwini bosses

Four cameras, a fridge, a full satellite navigation system and a sunroof. No, not a ghetto-fabulous wishlist of features for installation in a “ Pimp My Ride” vehicle, but the opulent extras included in the eThekwini municipality speaker’s and deputy mayor’s new 4x4s.

It emerged on Tuesday that the city had purchased two Toyota Land Cruiser Prados, at a hefty total price of R1.5 million, for Durban deputy mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala and speaker Logie Naidoo.

The DA has called the purchase a slap in the face of the poor in eThekwini municipality who had been “denied” housing and basic services owing to fraud, corruption and limited budgets.

While the DA appreciated that Naidoo and Shabalala should have adequate means of travel and transportation, the party’s chief whip, Dean Macpherson, said such luxury and opulence was not justifiable in the midst of service protests and rates increases.

Macpherson said that far too often, “budget constraints” was offered as an excuse by city officials why something could not be done. However, he said this claim rang hollow when money was found to buy such luxury vehicles.

“The continued unwillingness to curtail expenditure by the ANC in eThekwini proves how out of touch they are with the real needs of residents, choosing to cocoon themselves in a lifestyle so many will never afford,” said Macpherson, adding that the party was going to write to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to investigate the purchase.

The party would also ask Madonsela to investigate whether a case of wasteful expenditure was warranted against municipal manager Sibusiso Sithole.

Municipal spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said the cars were bought as part of the replacement programme after two vehicles were written off. He also dismissed claims that two new vehicles were recently purchased for use by Sithole. Mofokeng added that the mayoral fleet consisted of two cars.

The NFP’s Ahmed Shaik Emam said it was ludicrous that the vehicles had been “pimped” up, enquiring about the cost of the installed extras.

MF councillor Patrick Pillay said he was unaware of the latest purchase.

“A report should have been submitted to the executive committee so that a collective decision would have been taken on whether to purchase the vehicles,” he said.

With the city going through a “crisis”, Pillay said transparency should be the order of the day with city officials.

“Issues and matters only pop up after the transaction has gone through,” he said.

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