BULAWAYO City Council intends to splash thousands of dollars on a Mercedes-Benz-ML which officials say is earmarked for the mayor, Martin Moyo.
NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER
A brand new Mercedes-Benz-ML has a price tag of $60 000 and above. Moyo, who is in his second term as councillor, was elected mayor after the July 31 elections last year.
The current mayoral pool car includes a modest Mazda BT50.
Council yesterday invited tenders for the supply of a Mercedes-Benz ML and the tender closes next month.
A councillor told Southern Eye that the acquisition of a new vehicle for the mayor was long overdue.
“He (Moyo) would be soon moving on a Mercedes-Benz-ML,” the councillor said.
“It was in fact, long overdue but residents would take it differently as waste of money.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“But it is benefiting his status as a mayor to have that range of a car.”
As per tradition, the mayor is expected to retain the vehicle at the end of his tenure.
Former Bulawayo mayor Thaba Moyo walked away with a luxury Chrysler 2,0l CRO Dodge
Journey which he used as his official vehicle during his tenure after the council sold it to him for $7 000 as part of his exit package.
He is paying a meagre $195 per month over an 18-month period.
The Dodge was bought under controversial circumstances in 2010 for $65 000, a price alleged to have been inflated by up to $30 000.
About two years ago, council bought a Range Rover, Toyota Fortuner and a Toyota Prado for town clerk Middleton Nyoni, Finance director Kimpton Ndimande and director of housing and community services, Isaiah Magagula respectively.
The hunt for the vehicle comes after the government ordered the council to reduce the 2014 revenue budget by $10 million, a move the local authority said will have knock on effects on service delivery and entire operations.
Council had proposed a budget of $113 762 104 for the year which has since been slashed to $103 762104 following the government directive.
Councillors recently agreed to give the local authority’s workers a $100 increment backdated to January.
The move coincided with a push by councillors to award themselves new allowances comprising a $600 monthly stipend.
The councillors also want $50 per committee meeting and $100 for the full council meeting held every first Wednesday of the month.
