Kings damage luxury cars
2006-04-11 12:51
Johannesburg - Two Eastern Cape traditional kings have damaged the brand-new luxury German cars the provincial government gave them last month, Dispatch Online reported on Tuesday.
It said the two BMW X5s were now grounded and had been sent for repairs.
The vehicles belonged to King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of AbaThembu BakaDalindyebo and King Zwelonke Sigcawu of AmaGcaleka.
Fixing the two cars, which were insured, would cost R40 000.
Two days after taking delivery of his luxurious car, Dalindyebo drove over a signpost about 20km from KwaZulu-Natal.
Local Government and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Siki Wababa-Putini said the car had a damaged front wheel and suspension control arms, costing about R25 000.
Dalindyebo confirmed to the Daily Dispatch on Monday that he had had an accident.
"Although it was a genuine accident, I feel embarrassed and feel like shying away from the people," he said.
Sigcawu damaged his car while driving from his Nqadu Great Place near Willowvale to Mngqesha Great Place outside King William's Town last Thursday.
Sigcawu's vehicle suffered similar damage, estimated at about R15 000. Sigcawu is now using the Nissan X-Trail he'd handed back when he acquired the BMW.
Wababa-Putini said the kings were driving at the time of the accidents and were on "official trips".
King Zwelenkosi Matanzima of Western Thembuland also dented his car in a minor accident, but was still driving the vehicle.
Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Sam Kwelita presented six BMW X5s to the province's five kings and a queen.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairperson Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, and his deputy Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe each received a BMW X3.
The eight BMWs, costing the taxpayer R1,5m a year to lease and run, are a notch up from the Nissan X-Trails that the royals have been driving for three years.
Traditional house chairperson Matanzima bemoaned the accidents "because these cars are pretty new".
He said the house executive had spoken to the kings about proper maintenance.
"The kings each promised to ensure that the vehicles were cared for."
- SAPA