24 Jul 2016

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuidzen says the North East District does not have sufficient funds for fleet maintenance. 

He explained that the Department of Tribal Administration was allocated more than P2 million this financial year for the maintenance of vehicles in 453 customary courts.

He noted that the amount was grossly inadequate considering that the department has a fleet of 478 vehicles.

Assistant Minister Van Der Westhuidzen said  an additional  P50 000 was disbursed on top of the initial  P30 000 allocated to the North East tribal administration for vehicle maintenance.

Due to frequent breakdowns, he said the funds have been exhausted and that seven vehicles out of 13 have been maintained. “The remaining six vehicles will be maintained as soon as the ministry manages to secure additional funds for vehicle maintenance,” said Mr Van Der Westhuidzen

Tati West MP, Mr Biggie Butale had asked the minister if he was aware that tribal administration vehicles in the North East District were currently demobilised due to lack of funds. Ends