The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality will lodge a formal complaint with Limpopo’s MEC for Treasury regarding the Council’s decision to purchase a brand-new luxury vehicle worth R500,000 (half a million Rand) for the Chief Whip and create a new driver’s position—despite government-imposed cost containment regulations (as outlined in the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act: Regulations: Municipal Cost Containment) and the municipality’s own Cost Containment Policy.
According to the municipality’s cost containment policy, adopted in line with Treasury regulations last year, only the Mayor is entitled to an official vehicle. No provision is made for the purchase of a vehicle for any other political office bearer.
Treasury’s regulations are specifically designed to eliminate unnecessary and frivolous expenditure, contain costs, ensure that municipal financial resources are used effectively and efficiently, and prioritize service delivery.
In addition to the unlawful purchase of this vehicle, the creation of a driver’s position imposes an additional long-term financial burden on the municipality, further diverting resources from critical service delivery needs.
This decision blatantly contradicts both national cost containment regulations and the municipality’s own cost-cutting policy. It makes a mockery of the government’s stated commitment to fiscal discipline and ensuring that public funds are used responsibly to benefit residents.
The ANC-led Council’s reckless decision reflects a blatant disregard for national directives and its own policies—at a time when fiscal prudence is a national priority.
The DA was the only political party to oppose this unauthorized and irresponsible expenditure. Meanwhile, the community continues to suffer from severe service delivery backlogs, failing infrastructure, intermittent water and electricity supply, dysfunctional sewage systems, and rapidly deteriorating roads.
The DA will fight for fiscal prudence in the national and local interests, and remains committed to responsible governance that prioritizes the needs of residents over wasteful spending. We will continue to hold the ANC-led Council accountable and fight to ensure that the real needs of Tzaneen residents take precedence over frivolous luxury expenditures.