Personal use of metro vehicles probed

Calls for forensic audit as irregular practices cost Bay thousands per month

THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has launched an investigation into some of its workers who use its vehicles for their personal benefit, amid calls for a forensic audit into what it costs the council every year.

Following complaints from the public that traffic and security vehicles are misused for personal shopping and transporting hikers, city manager Mpilo Mbambisa is looking into the abuse of state vehicles by all metro departments.

At a safety and security portfolio committee meeting on Friday, councillors were told how this was costing the department thousands of rands every month.

In a report to the committee, executive director Shane Brown wrote that this had been an ongoing problem for years, particularly with staff within the traffic and security departments.

“Traffic and licensing services have implemented arrangements via standing orders whereby municipal vehicles are utilised for home-to-office use, but it is not within legislation and/or [municipal] policy.

“The situation has resulted in an over-expenditure [of the operating budget] as tens of thousands of rand are being spent a month on fuel for the personal benefit of individuals,” Brown wrote.

“To exacerbate the problem further, the persons driving the vehicles also claim overtime for transporting of members.

“This leads to overtime claims and over-expenditure . . . thus money is being spent on costs which are not within the core business of the directorate.”

Brown said he had tried to discuss the issue with unions in a bid to reach an amicable solution, but they opposed any attempt to stop staff taking the vehicles home.

“A forensic audit may be necessary to uncover the full financial implications of this unofficial service as the actual costs are not clearly defined for the specific purpose,” Brown said.

-Rochelle de Kock