Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Mongameli Bobani has scoffed at the call for mayors to use public transport and shuttle services in the sixth parliament.
Picture: Eugene Coetzee/The Herald
According to IOL‚ minister of finance Tito Mboweni and the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma warned mayors to use public transport or shuttles and stop hiring expensive luxury cars.
The call is among new stringent measures to cut costs and it will come into effect from July 1.
According to Mboweni‚ should local government politicians and officials fail to implement or comply with the new regulations they will be held liable for committing financial misconduct or financial offences‚ which may be declared criminal offences.
Bobani took to Twitter to react to the new rule. Translated‚ his tweet reads: “Let’s see first.”
Makuqale bona sibone. https://t.co/6NoToKVvr5
— Mayor Mongameli Bobani (@BobaniMayor) June 9, 2019
He said he will continue to use the services of Volkswagen because the “executive mayor is sponsored and driven” by the automaker’s local plant.
@NMandelaBaymuni Executive Mayor is sponsored & driven by @volkswagen South Africa, from their plant based in Uitenhage, Nelson Mandela Bay.
Thanks to former Executive Mayor Nceba Faku for striking such a deal.
A BIG thank YOU to @VWGroup for the support all these years. ❤️🇩🇪🚐
— Mayor Mongameli Bobani (@BobaniMayor) June 10, 2019
Although it doesn’t seem like Bobani will comply with the new regulations‚ Mboweni’s warning still stands.
-Unathi Nkanjeni