DA votes against the purchase of a new vehicle for the Mbombela Mayor

DA votes against the purchase of a new vehicle for the Mbombela Mayor

Today, in Council, the DA opposed the decision by the ANC to purchase a new vehicle for the Executive Mayor, Sibusiso Mathonsi.

The DA strongly objects to this decision to replace the current mayoral vehicle (Mercedes Benz ML350) in exchange for a new vehicle through a maintenance lease agreement at a cost of R 27 718.93 per month. The main concern being the current outstanding amount of R408 049.00 for the mayor’s current Mercedes ML350 that still needs covered from the Mbombela municipality’s capital budget.  

The DA believes that Mayor Mathonsi must use the Mercedes ML350 at least until the end of his term in eighteen months, before considering a new vehicle. Should the mayors’ vehicle be considered unsafe, a more affordable and economic vehicle must be considered. 

The decision to purchase a new vehicle coincides with the increase in rates and taxes by Mbombela Municipality which came into effect on the 1st of July.

Residents are now paying more for water, electricity and property rates following the re-evaluation of property undertaken by the municipality earlier this year. Although no breakdown is available at the moment of what the implications of the tariff increases are on residents, some residents are paying as much as R800 more for municipal rates and taxes since the increase came into effect.

The DA is disappointed that Mayor Mathonsi does not show the vision to take into consideration the current economic realities when making the decision to purchase a new vehicle, or at least consider a more affordable, economic model. This decision taken by the ANC in Council strengthens the DA’s call on the Mbombela Municipality to implement austerity measures and cut unnecessary and wasteful expenditure.