6 days ago
Limpopo Speaker denies R6m luxury car claims
POLOKWANE – Limpopo Legislature Speaker Dr Makoma Makurupetje has denied allegations of extravagant spending after media reports claimed that over R6m in public money was used to procure two luxury vehicles – one apparently for her personal use.
In response to the claims, Makurupetje has called for a full investigation into the legislature's vehicle procurement practices. She rejected reports suggesting she bypassed National Treasury guidelines, which cap the cost of official vehicles at R1.2m.
'I was really shocked to hear that a vehicle was bought for me, and I deny the R6.5m expenditure,' she said.
Makurupetje clarified that upon assuming office in June, the official vehicle used by her predecessor had already exceeded its mileage limit, and the deputy speaker's vehicle had been involved in an accident. As a result, a procurement process for new vehicles was already underway before she and her deputy took office.
She disclosed that the vehicle assigned to her cost R1.4m, while a Mercedes-Benz purchased for the deputy speaker cost R1.5m.
Although both figures exceed the Treasury cap, she explained that the purchases fall under the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act of 2009 and not the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which applies to other government entities.
Makurupetje has ordered a detailed review to determine whether Treasury guidelines were breached. She also revealed that she recently learned of a third vehicle, which she has never seen. She is awaiting a full report from Legislature to clarify this issue. 'If it turns out that I was misled by the Secretary regarding the procurement of any vehicle, I will take decisive action,' she said.
The Speaker also referred to ongoing forensic audits within the legislature, which were launched following the resignation of the chief financial officer and the suspension of another senior finance official. She suggested that the recent media reports may be linked to resistance to internal reforms underway in the legislature.
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