The Ministry of Works and Transport has confirmed the government has bought 20 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado vehicles valued at N$24.65 million for public office-bearers under the government’s vehicle replacement policy.
Delivering a ministerial response in the National Assembly, works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi said the procurement process was guided by an established policy framework aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline and transparency.
He said that general government vehicles remain in service for five years or 120 000 kilometres, after which they are publicly auctioned with treasury approval.
“I note for the record that this represents approximately N$1 232 515 per vehicle — a figure that warrants contextualisation against the vehicle specifications,” Nekundi said.
He added that Gobabis Toyota won a tender to supply the vehicles following a transparent process conducted in line with the Public Procurement Act, after bids from M&Z Motors, Indongo Toyota and Performance Development Centre were evaluated.
Nekundi defended the choice of the Land Cruiser Prado, citing its durability, safety, regional service coverage and lower life cycle maintenance costs as key considerations.
He also noted that the government’s new single-vehicle policy, which replaced the previous dual allocation system, has resulted in significant savings through reduced insurance, licensing and maintenance costs.
“Vehicle procurement demands rigorous assessment extending well beyond simple purchase price considerations,” he said.
Nekundi further said vehicle purchases for public office-bearers fall under the Public Office-bearers Commission, which determines conditions of service.
Under the current policy, each office-bearer contributes 1.5% of the vehicle’s value monthly and may purchase the car at the end of their term at a 20% annual depreciation rate, less N$100 per 1 000 kilometres driven.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
