A Mercedes-Benz the mayor of Gauteng's Sedibeng district initially did not want to use broke down, and opposition parties in the region smell something fishy.
The municipality bought the Mercedes-Benz GLB (X247) in 2021 for its executive mayor, Lerato Maloka, but in 2022 TimesLIVE Premium reported that the car was gathering dust after Maloka allegedly refused to use it, saying it was not purchased according to her specifications.
The vehicle cost R696,611.
The DA in the Gauteng legislature now wants provincial Cogta MEC Mzi Khumalo to investigate how the vehicle ended up with a “foreign substance” in its engine, which mechanics said needed to be replaced.
A report seen by TimesLIVE Premium was sent to the municipality by Mercedes-Benz East Rand Mall, revealing there was no compression in all four cylinders of the car.
“Upon stripping, we found the camshafts were seized, which caused the chain drive to break. This is caused by a foreign granular contamination that was found underneath the valve cover,” the report said.
The DA's Emfuleni North constituency head, Kingsol Chabalala, said the manner in which the district municipality had handled the issue was concerning.
“Our source from the municipality is telling us that the foreign substance is brown sugar which was put into the oil system so that it would break. The mayor would then say she didn't want the car. The purpose was for the car to break down and be replaced by a new vehicle.
“The fact that the vehicle was damaged under the watch of the municipality raises security and safety concerns. It is disappointing that despite the financial crisis and the struggle to provide decent services, such as sanitation and fixing potholes, the mayor was concerned with buying a luxury car. She prioritised personal comfort over the needs of residents by refusing to use the vehicle even after it was customised,” Chabalala said.
However, the municipality has rejected as false and damaging “insinuations made that it [the vehicle] is used sparingly or it was deliberately broken”.
In its official response, the municipality maintains everything about the vehicle is above board.
“The executive mayor has been using the car for official duties. It had a mechanical breakdown on the N3 freeway on July 28 2023, was then towed to East Rand Mall Mercedes-Benz service centre by Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance to be fixed.
“The vehicle is not fixed, but it is dedicated to the executive mayor. A cost-benefit analysis is being conducted to determine if there is value in fixing the vehicle for further use on council business and the council will take a decision,” the municipality told TimesLIVE Premium.
“The vehicle was procured as per legislative stipulations, and value for money was determined upfront,” it added.
“The GLB is an official car of the executive mayor and insinuations made that it is used sparingly or it was deliberately broken are false and damaging to the reputation of the executive mayor and that of the Sedibeng district municipality.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.