North West Premier Thandi Modise's office yesterday defended the purchase of a R1.3-million car for her official use - but the DA has vowed to take up the matter with Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
In October, Gordhan announced "belt-tightening measures" to curb excessive and wasteful expenditure of public funds.
The BMW 750i was purchased just six months before the end of Modise's term.
Her spokesman, Lesiba Kgwele, called the allegations of impropriety "absurd" and "malicious" because the vehicle was on order before Gordhan announced his austerity measures.
DA shadow finance minister Tim Harris said: "I will submit parliamentary questions to Minister Gordhan to establish whether this purchase is permitted in terms of his new belt-tightening provisions.
"If it isn't, then we have requested detail on the action to be taken against transgressors."
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