BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOBAMBA – The Central Transport Administration (CTA) says new measures are being implemented to ensure government vehicles spend less time grounded while waiting for repairs and spare parts.
CTA Transport General Manager Mduduzi Lukhele revealed this during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting with the Ministry of Public Works held on May 28, 2026, chaired by Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga.
The Transport General Manager explained that delays in the release of budgets by various government ministries continue to affect the procurement of vehicle spare parts, particularly fast-moving items needed for routine repairs.
He said the delays deprive CTA of the buying power needed to stock commonly used spare parts in advance.
“The challenge is that budgets from different ministries take too long to be released, making it difficult for CTA to maintain sufficient stock of fast-moving spare parts,” he said.
Despite the challenge, Lukhele said CTA has engaged controlling officers across government ministries to ensure vehicles are brought to CTA workshops early for repairs.
He said the arrangement would help ensure government vehicles no longer remain parked for long periods awaiting repairs, as commonly used parts would now be readily available.
However, he clarified that delays may still occur in cases involving rare or highly expensive components which cannot be bought in advance due to their high costs.
“Unless the vehicle requires a part that is not fast-moving and very expensive, most repairs should now be completed quicker,” he said.
Lukhele described the arrangement as a practical solution to reduce delays in repairing government vehicles, although he maintained that the ideal situation would be for ministries to release repair funds on time.
He further encouraged ministries to submit vehicles for servicing and repairs on a quarterly basis to improve maintenance planning.
Addressing concerns raised by PAC members about government vehicles previously seen at private garages, Lukhele assured the committee that the vehicles had since been repaired, paid for and returned to their respective ministries.
The committee also sought clarity on who carries repair costs for rented government vehicles involved in accidents.
Responding to the issue, Lukhele said all rental vehicle agreements include insurance provisions and excess payment clauses agreed upon between government and vehicle dealers.
He explained that the excess fees vary depending on the type of vehicle and may range between E15 000 and E50 000.
“We always verify whether the amounts charged are correct,” he said.
Lukhele also informed the committee that efforts are underway to restore accident report sheets and log sheets to strengthen vehicle management and accountability.
Questions during the meeting were raised by PAC members including Sifiso Shabalala of Dvokodvweni, Vice Chairperson Manzi Zwane and Hon. Mzwandile Mamba.
The discussions followed a report presented by Deputy Auditor General Samukele Motsa, which highlighted government expenditure of more than E119 million on motor vehicle repairs.
The report also noted that government had paid over E500 000 for damages involving rented vehicles, raising concerns over the misuse and management of government transport resources.
Despite the concerns raised in the report, the meeting reflected government’s continued efforts to improve transport management systems, strengthen accountability and ensure public vehicles are maintained efficiently in order to deliver services effectively across the country.
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