Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Gary van Niekerk was chauffeured around the city in a luxurious Volvo XC90 rental for eight days in July — at a cost of R54,400 to the ratepayer.
His office rented the mid-size luxury SUV from July 21, with the seven-seater vehicle returned on Friday shortly after questions were sent to the municipality’s communications department querying the cost of hiring the vehicle.
The vehicle cost R6,800 a day, according to municipal spokesperson Kupido Baron.
This comes as the National Treasury has been tightening the screws on spending on flights, accommodation and vehicle hire by public representatives and civil servants.
At a cost of close to R7,000 a day, the hiring of the vehicle flies in the face of the gazetted 2019 municipal cost containment regulations which recommend that municipalities not hire luxury vehicles.
Instead, it recommends the hiring of economic hatchbacks — but only if no vehicle is available from the municipal fleet.
The regulations stem from a 2016 National Treasury circular which was adopted by the council that same year to cut down on luxury spending.
The Volvo XC90 was rented on the same day close protection officer Phillip Solomon was involved in an accident while driving Van Niekerk’s official vehicle.
The accident took place on Seaview Road, close to the N2 turn-off.
Solomon and the occupants of a second vehicle sustained minor injuries.
Baron wrote in the Nelson Mandela Bay Media WhatsApp group on Monday that the Volvo XC90 had been returned.
“Colleagues, I am not sure who inquired about the mayor’s car, but the rental was returned on Friday,” he said.
He said a Polo Vivo sedan was provided to Van Niekerk by the metro’s fleet services until a permanent arrangement was available.
He posted a picture of Van Niekerk climbing into the vehicle.
Responding to a question later about the hired vehicles, Baron said: “Any vehicle hired for the incumbent of the office of the executive mayor is classified as group G by the rental companies, as it fulfils the security standards required.”
Economic hatchbacks are listed as group B, according to rental agency websites.
The regulation states that:
- An official or political office bearer of a municipality or municipal entity must use the municipal fleet, where viable, before incurring costs to hire vehicles;
- An official or political office bearer of a municipality or municipal entity must not hire vehicles from a category higher than group B or an equivalent class; and
- Where a different class of vehicle is required for a particular terrain or to cater for the special needs of an official, seek the written approval of the city manager before hiring the vehicle.
Baron said the Audi Q5 that was in the accident needed to be assessed by an accredited automotive body shop.
When contacted for comment, Van Niekerk said he was not involved in the hiring of the vehicle.
“All I can say is that the vehicle has since been returned.
“I was told that was the only vehicle available according to our specifications.
“At the moment, I am driving a VW Polo sedan.”
Van Niekerk accused DA councillor Retief Odendaal of being behind the publication of an article on his rental.
“I know The Herald is pushing Retief’s narrative.
“I saw him taking pictures of my car [the Volvo XC90] and you are writing this story because he gave it to you,” he said.
Odendaal, in response, retorted that he understood it was not easy being the mayor of a city with a broken administration.
“He’s saying all these things because the heat is turning up.
“He underestimated the fact that I am quite a good politician, even if I may say so myself.”
Odendaal said he was part of the process that oversaw the 2016 revision of the policy on travel and other municipal expenses.
“I know what is allowed. The policy states we are only allowed to use group B vehicles.
“Surely Gary must have asked how much that vehicle cost and returned it as soon as he found out it was expensive. But he did not.”
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