Ngcuka can keep his R1m car

2003-08-03 22:18

Anesca Smith

Cape Town - The state will not confiscate the luxury BMW, worth nearly R1m, belonging to Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka.

Ngcuka, who was drawn into a public war of words with Deputy President Jacob Zuma last week over the Scorpions' investigation into the arms scandal, made the headlines again over the weekend when it was reported that he was about to lose his expensive car.

He was apparently ordered to hand his BMW 750 worth R874 000 over to the department of justice because his contract did not allow for a car allowance.

However, spokesperson for the justice department, Paul Setsetse, admitted on Sunday that an administrative error had slipped in and that the car allowance stipulations in Ngcuka's five-year contract were unclear.

"We will not be confiscating the car or sending him an account for the money he used to buy the car. No final decision has been taken on the amount Ngcuka qualifies for regarding a car allowance."

Setsetse also denied rumours that Ngcuka could be forced from his high level position after the past week's events. "The department is satisfied with his work," Setsetse said.

Scorpions' spokesperson, Sipho Ngwema, said on Sunday that Ngcuka sold the car in question to the state four years ago.

"In fact, since May last year he has been driving a BMW 745 that he bought privately."

Ngwema said Ngcuka was informed that he had overspent four years ago after buying the BMW 750 and was told to pay the difference over to the state.

"However, we are still waiting for an account from justice. We do not know what has caused the delay."

Ngwema said it was unfortunate that the car issue came to light, seemingly intentionally, in the same week as the controversies surrounding the arms investigations made the headlines.

"It is deliberately misleading," he said.

- Die Burger