Ministers from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) could save themselves embarrassment about the luxury vehicles they drive by using standardised, state pool cars, says United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa.
”The continuing revelations about ministerial cars are an embarrassing situation for the ruling party, who campaigned on a pro-poor ticket,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
The system used by responsible countries was to acquire a pool of standardised, state vehicles.
”[This] means that the state can make a bulk acquisition, which would enable it to get the vehicles at a discounted rate.
”The vehicles must have a standardised colour scheme and bear the ministerial logo, as well as the South African flag [like official vehicles in other countries].
”No elected official of the state should be shy of being seen in a car bearing the South African flag,” Holomisa said.
The state could also allocate a state registration plate for these vehicles, such as RSA 1 for the president, RSA 2 for the deputy president and so on.
”Once the public can recognise these vehicles, they would give way on the road, which would also reduce the abuse of the blue-light brigades.”
He said the current system was being abused, ”with people buying fancy cars with taxpayer money as if these cars are theirs, and then using state petrol cards to fuel them up”.
If ministers wanted fancy cars, they should pay for them out of their own pocket, Holomisa said. — Sapa