- Legislators question rising costs despite new vehicle fleet
BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed concern over Government’s growing expenditure on vehicle rentals, which reached more than E85 million despite investments in a new government fleet.
The concerns were raised on Thursday, 28 May 2026, during a PAC session with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in the House of Assembly.
Deputy Auditor General Samkele Motsa informed the committee that audit findings showed vehicle rental costs had not decreased as expected.
According to Motsa, Government spent over E85 740 050.91 on vehicle rentals during the 2024/2025 financial year.
He further noted that the expenditure reflected a 12 per cent increase compared to the previous year, raising concerns about cost management and procurement efficiency.
Auditor General questions rising rental expenditure
Motsa said the rising costs were particularly concerning because they occurred at a time when Government had already invested in acquiring a new fleet of vehicles.
“The costs of rentals continue to rise even after Government invested in a new fleet,” he told the committee.
The findings prompted legislators to question whether Government was receiving value for money and whether proper controls existed within the vehicle rental system.
Ministry admits challenges with ageing fleet
Responding to the concerns, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport Thulani Mkhaliphi acknowledged that the problem existed and required urgent attention.
However, Mkhaliphi clarified that responsibility for vehicle rentals extended beyond his Ministry, as various Government ministries and departments also utilised rental services.
He explained that rentals remained necessary because of the high number of national events and official activities requiring transport services.
The Principal Secretary also revealed that approximately 80 per cent of Government vehicles were due for retirement because they had become inefficient and expensive to maintain.
“It is unfortunate that most Government vehicles are old, costly to operate and inefficient,” Mkhaliphi said.
He added that Government needed to develop long-term strategies to better control the situation and reduce unnecessary expenditure.
MPs raise concerns over fairness and accountability
PAC Chairperson Madala Mhlanga said while he understood that vehicle rentals could not be completely avoided, there were concerns regarding fairness in the awarding of rental tenders.
Mhlanga alleged that some companies were repeatedly favoured while others were excluded from opportunities.
He also criticised the conduct of some drivers operating Government vehicles, accusing them of failing to properly care for public assets.
The PAC Chairperson recommended that drivers be placed under stricter supervision and report directly to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to improve accountability.
“There must be accountability because these vehicles are purchased and rented using public funds,” Mhlanga stated.
MPs question tender allocation system
PAC Deputy Chairperson Manzi Vincent Zwane also questioned the manner in which vehicle rental tenders were allocated.
He argued that some companies were awarded tenders but never received actual rental orders from Government, while others continued receiving business consistently.
Zwane further claimed that in certain instances, some rental companies continued supplying vehicles even after their operations had reportedly been frozen.
Other MPs who are members of the PAC echoed concerns about the need for stricter oversight within the vehicle rental system.
They stressed that public funds must be protected and that drivers entrusted with Government vehicles should not be allowed to misuse them.
Ministry commended for addressing challenges
Despite the concerns raised, Dvokodvweni MP Sifiso Shabalala and Ngwemphisi MP Bishop Bhekibandla Alex Vilakati commended Principal Secretary Mkhaliphi for his efforts in attempting to address the challenges facing the sector.
The PAC is expected to continue scrutinising Government expenditure on vehicle rentals as part of its broader oversight role aimed at promoting accountability, transparency and efficient use of public resources.
