Premier abused travel claims - report

2012-08-10 08:44

Cassel Mathale (Marietie Louw-Carstens, Beeld)

Polokwane - Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale allegedly abused his office's travel claims system, according to a report on Friday.

The Star reported that Mathale had parked his official cars so that he could use his private car for official duties and claim for it.

Auditor General Terence Nombembe estimated that the amount irregularly accrued to Mathale from March 1 to August 30 last year was R466 000, the newspaper reported.

In his 2011/2012 audit report, Nombembe declared the payment to Mathale wasteful and fruitless expenditure.

According to the report Mathale's office flouted the government's policy on the use of official vehicles by disposing his official car, a BMW 750i worth R1m, before it had reached 120 000 km or five years.

Chapter five of the ministerial handbook stated that government departments could purchase official vehicles directly from the manufacturer or their dealerships only when the current car provided for that office had reached 120 000km or after five years, "whichever comes first".

The policy allowed the premier to claim for a travel allowance if he had indicated in writing that he would like to take this option and his office does not buy an official car for him.

The premier's office admitted to the newspaper that it had purchased a BMW 750i for the premier when he took office in May 2009. It also confirmed the existence of three other vehicles. A fourth car was written off in an accident.

- SAPA