Kenneth Banda
8 November 2007
Selebi-Phikwe — The Selebi-Phikwe Town Council will soon take a decision on the mayor's official car, a 2001 Mercedes Benz model, which persistently breaks down.
The luxurious vehicle, brought in 2001 during former mayor, Molosiwa Molosiwa's tenure has broken down more than three times this year alone.
The white E200 Mercedes Benz was twice involved in accidents. Selebi-Phikwe Town Clerk, Terrence Ntalabgwe said he was waiting for a report from the town's Chief Technical Officer auto to make a decision on whether the vehicle had become a liability.
He would not disclose how much the council had spent on repairs saying he was waiting for the chief technical officer to brief him. The council will also ascertain the number of times the vehicle has gone for repairs since it was purchased in 2001.
Sources say the local authority paid P45, 000 to repair the vehicle in September when it had gear box problems.
Ntalabgwe said it would be difficult to secure a new vehicle for the mayor as the Ministry of Local Government "is on a tight budget".
"The Chief Technical Officer will look at the frequency of breakdowns and the amounts we pay, and then based on that we can make a decision. Getting a new car is a problem because the central government looks at the fleet of vehicles that you have first," Ntalabgwe said.
He noted that the vehicle stays for long periods in the garage because some of the spare parts are sourced out of the country.
The town clerk said when the vehicle's maintenance becomes expensive, the car would then be considered a liability to the council.
He said the Mercedes Benz was "relatively new because it is a high value vehicle".
When Mayor, Benjamin Bagayi assumed office in January, the Mercedes Benz had broken down.
It was taken to Naledi Motors in Francistown for repairs, but broke down again in September, with gear box problems.
The mayor was on official duty when the Benz broke down. When the vehicle was brought back, it again broke down, hardly a day after it was brought back from the garage in Francistown.
The mayor was scheduled to officiate at a primary schools traditional dance competition, but was left stranded.
He was then given a vehicle from the sewerage department which he has been using to date.
Ntalabgwe said the mayor has been using a Mitsubishi Pajero vehicle from his office, but resorted to using a smaller vehicle from the sewerage department because he (town clerk) uses the Pajero to attend a meeting in Gaborone.
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