DA condemns mayoral vehicle worth a whooping R700k

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Free State has strongly criticized the Dihlabeng Local Municipality’s decision to approve the purchase of a new R700 000 vehicle for the executive mayor.

According to the DA’s caucus whip Eric T. Motloung, the controversial decision was made by the ANC-majority council last week August 20, despite calls from DA councillors for a detailed report on the condition and value of the existing vehicles used by the Mayor and Speaker.

DA Caucus Whip Eric T. Motloung expressed discontent, highlighting that no report was provided regarding the previous Range Rover involved in an accident or the costs related to its repair and insurance claim.

“The purchase of this vehicle is an extravagant misuse of public funds. We requested a detailed report on the status of the previous vehicles and a thorough assessment of their trade-in values, but our proposals were ignored,” says Motloung.

The DA had proposed assessing the trade-in value of the current vehicles, the Range Rover and Toyota Prado, to potentially reduce the cost of the new purchase, “but these suggestions were dismissed by the council,” addresses Motloung.

The ANC-majority council’s decision saw the EFF, FV+, AULA, and an independent councillor abstaining from the vote.

Motloung vowed to take the issue to the Free State legislature, affirming, “We will continue to fight for responsible governance and ensure that the needs of Dihlabeng residents are prioritized over unnecessary expenditures.”