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BISHO - The Eastern Cape provincial treasury will decide who will pay the R171 000 bill for finance MEC Phumulo Masualle's crashed Mercedes-Benz ML 500.
Masualle crashed his huge state-owned silver SUV in February 2013; his chief-of-staff Fezeka Nkomonye said the MEC was rushing to a meeting with the provincial premier. His protection unit was also running late, so the MEC drove himself - something he was specifically barred from doing.
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Masualle’s ML was towed following acollision with another vehicle on Hillcrest Drive in East London’s Beacon Bay on February 21. Provincial transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said Masualle was "not supposed to drive" the state-owned car; only VIP protection unit members could drive them.
East London police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mtati Tana confirmed the accident: “Yes, we can confirm an accident between the Mercedes-Benz and a bakkie. There were no serious injuries and a normal accident report was opened at the Beacon Bay police station.
The SUV had damage to its front, bonnet, right fender and headlights.
'MECs ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE'
Kumbaca said: "Departments procure these vehicles and permanently fit them with blue lights and because of the fittings of the accessories [MECs] are not allowed to drive".
"[The vehicles should only] be driven by VIP protection unit members."
The provincial treasury would decide who would pay for the insurance or damage, he said.
The car was sent in for repairs on February 22 2013.
Wheels24 says the MEC should cough up. He broke the rules and crashed. Why should the taxpayer pay for his illegal action and bad driving? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts or use the Readers' Comments section below...
Masualle crashed his huge state-owned silver SUV in February 2013; his chief-of-staff Fezeka Nkomonye said the MEC was rushing to a meeting with the provincial premier. His protection unit was also running late, so the MEC drove himself - something he was specifically barred from doing.
RUNNING LATE
Masualle’s ML was towed following acollision with another vehicle on Hillcrest Drive in East London’s Beacon Bay on February 21. Provincial transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said Masualle was "not supposed to drive" the state-owned car; only VIP protection unit members could drive them.
East London police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mtati Tana confirmed the accident: “Yes, we can confirm an accident between the Mercedes-Benz and a bakkie. There were no serious injuries and a normal accident report was opened at the Beacon Bay police station.
The SUV had damage to its front, bonnet, right fender and headlights.
'MECs ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE'
Kumbaca said: "Departments procure these vehicles and permanently fit them with blue lights and because of the fittings of the accessories [MECs] are not allowed to drive".
"[The vehicles should only] be driven by VIP protection unit members."
The provincial treasury would decide who would pay for the insurance or damage, he said.
The car was sent in for repairs on February 22 2013.
Wheels24 says the MEC should cough up. He broke the rules and crashed. Why should the taxpayer pay for his illegal action and bad driving? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts or use the Readers' Comments section below...
