Mayor of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga has today announced further cost-cutting measures, to save the City of Tshwane from expenses that only benefit politicians.
Msimanga has put an immediate stop to all purchases or leasing of luxury cars for politicians and senior officials. No new luxury cars will be bought or leased for politicians, and if vehicles currently owned by Tshwane require replacement, sensible and low-cost vehicles will be procured.
The Mayor said: "I will not allow public money to be spent on luxury cars, while our people struggle for services, houses and jobs. No more luxury cars will be bought or leased under my government. A Hyundai i20 or Toyota Corolla can do the same job for a politician as an expensive sedan."
The Mayor has also uncovered the procurement of new luxury BMW vehicles for politicians concluded and paid out of public money by the previous administration. Msimanga has therefore decided to redirect these 10 new vehicles which have high-capacity engine power, when they are delivered, to the Tshwane Metro Police Department where they will serve in a newly-formed Anti-Hijack Unit.
The Mayor said: "Rather than using luxury vehicles for politicians, we will use them for a new Unit in the Metro Police to prevent and respond to Hi-Jackings and high-speed chases because the vehicles have powerful engines and can be used for fast-response. This puts the needs of people first, and not the needs of politicians first."
This comes after Msimanga has also banned blue lights for politicians and officials in Tshwane, including on the Mayor's own vehicle. Tshwane officials will now travel alongside ordinary citizens, they will wait in traffic and will stop at red-lights.
Media enquiries:
Matthew Gerstner
Acting Spokesperson to the Mayor
082 96 96 041
