Kimberley - The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development was billed for car rentals of over R31 000 by one of its senior financial officials, who is alleged to have submitted claims on behalf of his spouse for a vehicle for her personal use.
It is believed that invoices dated February until May for three vehicles were paid for by the department, for use by his spouse, although she is not a staff member of the department and is, instead, employed as a clerk at a Galeshewe clinic.
Officials at the department’s transport unit were apparently instructed to hire the cars under their names and deliver the vehicles to her.
The vehicles were reportedly driven in and around Kimberley as well as to and from Durban.
It is believed that a number of employees who were questioned internally about the claims, have provided written statements to the department.
The department was charged R31 140.35 in total for vehicles that were rented from Europcar at the Kimberley Airport and assigned to a driver, who is apparently no longer permitted to drive.
There is an invoice for an outstanding balance for the use of a Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion, with registration number CA 907717, that was returned in the first week of April, after the official’s spouse undertook a private trip to visit her mother in Durban.
The following tax invoices were submitted for the account of the department:
• Hyundai 120 GL with registration BK31NZ GP for R4 487.28 that was used for nine days between February and March plus R1 068.84 for damage liabilities for the vehicle.
• Hyundai 120 GL, with number plate BY73GP GP, that was driven for four weeks during April and May (R13 938.89).
• Hyundai 120 GL with number plate BY73GP GP that was rented from May 2 to 28 at a cost of R11 645.34.
Sources within the department stated that these claims flouted the Public Finance Management Act regulations and that moreover the official should not have made use of car rentals, because he receives a car allowance.
The Head of Department for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Viljoen Mothibi, indicated on Wednesday that the department was still busy with an inquiry.
He added that employees who received car allowances were only permitted to make use of rented vehicles under certain conditions.
Mothibi also said that the department would “look into” the issue of whether the payments for the car rentals should be reversed or not.
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