Renting cars for Zuma's wives above board - SAPS

Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System
Date: 02 Mar 2011
Title: Renting cars for Zuma's wives above board - SAPS
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Pretoria - The South African Police Service (SAPS) has slammed as "inaccurate and misleading" newspaper reports regarding the renting of cars for President Jacob Zuma's wives, saying there was nothing untoward about it.

Reports carried by media earlier this week claimed that Zuma "wants seven more luxury cars permanently available for his wives."

However, the SAPS said in statement that the need for the vehicles formed part of a tender process that was recently advertised as a result of the cessation of a previous tender.

"In other words, this is by no means an introduction of something new that the vehicles must be hired for use by the spouses of the President when fulfilling their roles in support of the President," SAPS said.

The vehicles formed part of the security provisions for the spouses and providing them fell under the mandate of police.

"Therefore, it is not the President who "wants" the cars, as stated by Independent Newspapers. It is a routine operational issue by SAPS, which has nothing to do with the Presidency," SAPS clarified.

It added that the vehicles will be for hire and did not have to be "permanently available" as indicated in the article.

"The cost of hiring these vehicles does not encroach on the security issues per se."

SAPS said it had decided not to disclose the cost of hiring the vehicles because to do so would give an indication to potential bidder what rates they should tender. - BuaNews