E24M FOR CABINET CARS

MBABANE – It cost government less to buy official vehicles for Cabinet ministers in the previous administration compared to what will be spent on the current team.

Cabinet ministers in the 2013-2018 term of office had their official vehicles benchmarked at E800 000 each yet with the current administration, the value of their vehicles has been put at a maximum cost of E950 000.

Government, therefore, is expected to fork out an amount of E17.1 million to purchase vehicles for the 18 Cabinet ministers, while E14.4 million was spent on the preceding team.

The current crop of ministers will be chauffeured in the latest Toyota Land Cruiser Prado LC 3.0D VX (25X), whereas their predecessors enjoyed the luxury of the BMW X5.

The cost of the Cabinet ministers’ vehicles will be upped from the E17.1 million because Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini is also in line for two new wheels valued at E1.8 million each.
The Phil Mnisi-led royal commission that reviewed the politicians’ remuneration has recommended that the PM should be bought a Mercedes S350 and a Range Rover.

This means the PM’s cars will cost the taxpayer a further E3.6 million.
Presently, the PM is using a Mercedes S350 that was used by his predecessor, the late Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, who also had a Range Rover at his disposal.
The incumbent has hardly been seen being chauffeured in the Range Rover.

Terrain

But Government Press Secretary Percy Simelane told this publication that the PM uses both vehicles, ‘depending on the terrain’.
Further expected to hike the taxpayers’ spend on the vehicles is the commission’s recommendation that two cars – a Mercedes CLS 2.5 and a Mercedes GLE 2.5 – valued at E1.5 million each, be purchased for Deputy Prime Minister Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku.

The DPM’s vehicles will therefore cost E3 million. The 22 vehicles for the PM, DPM and Cabinet ministers are expected to set the taxpayer back by E23.7 million.

Spouses of the PM and DPM are also expected to be bought vehicles, which are a Toyota Fortuner or C-class Mercedes Benz for the premier’s wife and a Fortuner for the DPM’s.
“Government shall also provide a pool vehicle for the spouse of the prime minister and deputy prime minister. The motor vehicle will not be of the same status as the prime minister and deputy prime minister’s official vehicles.

“It will also serve as a utility vehicle to support the operations and service of the appointee; which include daily errands supporting the work of the prime minister or deputy prime minister. A driver for this vehicle will be provided from the Royal Eswatini Police Service,” reads clause 4.4.8(b) of the remuneration framework.

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