Update
GEORGE NEWS - Eden Mayor Memory Booysen is getting a new car. Not fresh from the factory, but a nice SUV to tackle the off-road challenges the Eden district poses.
This decision was taken at a Special Council Meeting on Monday 26 February, during the tabling of the adjustment budget for the 2017/2018 financial year.
The adjustment budget includes the purchase of a mayoral vehicle for an amount of R650 000.
Opposition parties voiced their displeasure, saying there are better ways to utilise the money.
"If we can put money on the budget for a car, our financial situation must be very good," said ANC Councillor Piet van der Hoven.
"The mayor's car is a new item. It was explained to us in the strategic session, but we still challenge the legality of it."
PBI Councillor Virgill Gericke said, "It is not in dispute that the mayor needs a proper car to do his work.
Wrapped around his little finger. The inclusion of a mayoral car on Eden's adjustment budget was supported by Municipal Manager Monde Stratu.
"We must however be very sensitive to the public outcry with regards to the use of funds. I watched social media this weekend and there were many comments of disgust that ordinary citizens raised on the issue of R650 000 for a car."
In conversation with the George Herald, Booysen said he knows a mayoral car is a hot topic.
"Every time it comes up you make some people happy and you make some people very unhappy," said Booysen.
"Between 2011 and 2016 I was the cheapest mayor in South Africa, regarding mayoral cars. And that was deliberate. I am not a person for bling."
"If we can put money on the budget for a car, our financial situation must be very good," said ANC Councillor Piet van der Hoven.
Listen to a sound clip below:
Booysen currently drives a Volkswagen Jetta, but often finds that he is unable to reach some of the places he needs to visit.
During the Knysna fire disaster and the recent water crisis in Kannaland, the sedan had great difficulty to negotiate the gravel roads and off-road sections.
"I will not allow the municipal manager to go overboard in terms of the frameworks," said Booysen.
"The mayoral car is not suitable for me to do my community engagements and for me to interact with all the B municipalities.
"There are terrains in the B municipalities which you can't access with a normal car."
Booysen's personal vehicle is a Volkswagen Amarok bakkie.
When asked if he would opt for a mayoral bakkie or an SUV, he said a bakkie is not suitable in terms of safety and security.
"I will not allow the municipal manager to go overboard in terms of the frameworks," said Eden Mayor Memory Booysen.
Vehicle companies will soon be able to tender for the mayoral wheels. Once this purchase is done, the Jetta will form part of Eden's fleet of cars.
Read a previous article: New wheels for Eden Mayor
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