Mobility
(1) (a) How many vehicles that have been provided to Ministers have been modified to accommodate sport equipment, such as bicycle racks (but not limited to), from 2015 to date, (b) what has been the nature of these modifications, (c) to whom the vehicle was issued (d) what were the costs of these modifications to the vehicles, (e) which department paid for these modifications and (f) at whose request were these modifications made;
(2) whether any Minister has refused to return an official vehicle or returned a vehicle later than was required for any reason since 2012; if so, (a) who were they and (b) what was the cost of this, if any;
(3) (a) under which circumstances are Ministers allowed to hold onto vehicles after their term of office have ended and (b) which regulations allow former Ministers to continue driving their vehicles?
[1] [a] No vehicles supplied to Ministers have been modified to accommodate sport equipment specifically. A vehicle may be fitted with a tow bar at the time of procurement, while still ensuring that the total vehicle price does not exceed the approved threshold as per the Ministerial Handbook.
[b] Other than tow bars, no known modifications were made to VIP vehicles to accommodate sport equipment or the like specifically.
[c] The following Ministries have permanently allocated vehicles with towbars:
- Premier
- Police Oversight and Community Safety [POCS]
- Finance and Economic Opportunities
- Human Settlements
- Cultural Affairs and Sport
- Social Development
[d] The cost of a tow bar is included in the vehicle’s purchase price to ensure that the total cost of the vehicle does not exceed the approved threshold as per the Ministerial Handbook.
[e] See the answer to [c] above and note that GMT replaces the permanently allocated vehicle from its replacement budget.
[f] GMT receives requests from Departments or may recommend specifications for vehicles to be ordered. A Quote via the RT57 State contract is obtained to ensure that the total vehicle cost does not exceed the approved threshold as per the Handbook.
[2] I am not aware of any refusal by any Minister to return an official vehicle when asked to do so. I am aware of a case regarding an alleged refusal by a Member of this Provincial Parliament. The instance is the subject of a Conduct Committee Hearing.
[3] [a] A Minister can hold onto his/her vehicle in terms of the Handbook Chapter 8 paragraph 2.2.1
“Upon relinquishing office, former Members will be allocated one official vehicle [with SAPS VIP Driver] under the same conditions and provisions as at the time in office, until the end of the month following the month in which they vacate their office [one calendar month]. Where exceptional circumstances prevail, i.e., termination as a result of death or ill-health, the period referred to above may, at the discretion of the Provincial Minister of Transport and Public Works, after consultation with the Premier, be extended to a period not exceeding three [3] calendar months.”
[b] Ministerial Handbook Chapter 8 paragraph 2.2.1
