R 19 million has been taken from the funds of other programs of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Indigenous Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, with which the cars were bought for the 30 chiefs’ councils in KwaZulu-Natal.
Part of the money that bought these cars was planned to be paid to the employees who would be hired by the department.
This is contained in the written response of the Minister of the Department, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, who was answering questions from DA member, Ms Marlaine Nair.
Buthelezi revealed that they decided to use the money to buy cars due to the delay in the recruitment of workers who were to be paid with this money.
The rest of the money was supposed to buy computer equipment.
“We took all this money that didn’t work and then we bought cars, we didn’t overspend the Ministry’s budget.”
Buthelezi said they will continue to buy cars that will be donated to the chiefs’ councils.
He stated that 12 Ford Everest vehicles worth R772 259 each, and 18 GWM P300 D/C worth R563 494 each.
Ms Nair said she has written to Buthelezi again with more questions.
He said they want to know if the cars are not bought with the money earmarked to help municipalities or deal with disasters.
Ms. Nair said they want to know if the councils of chiefs will be able to bear the costs of these vehicles, including filling petrol, paying for insurances, repairing cars and tires.
Mrs. Nair said she wants the Department to explain exactly what system it followed when choosing the councils of chiefs who were given cars.
The purchase of cars has caused an uproar as the leadership of the indigenous leadership organization, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa) in KwaZulu-Natal, has alleged that Buthelezi chose the cockroach when buying cars.
When the cars were presented, the Department said they would be given to members of the KwaZulu-Natal indigenous leadership house, chairmen and vice-chairmen of the indigenous leadership houses in the regions.
The leaders of Contralesa in KwaZulu-Natal pointed out that there are chairmen who were left out when cars were distributed, saying that there are kings who are not chairmen but who benefit.
According to the list of kings who benefited contained in Buthelezi’s reply, there were six chairmen and two vice chairmen.
There are 11 districts in KwaZulu-Natal.
The list shows that there are 14 chiefs who are additional members of the indigenous leadership houses in the regions that benefit.
Contralesa KwaZulu-Natal has recently reported its complaints to the chairman of the committee in charge of the department’s operations in Parliament, Dr Zweli Mkhize.