CHRIS HANI DISTRICT – Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) has received 66 of its 136 brand-new service delivery vehicles, a move it says will strengthen its commitment to service delivery while reducing fleet management costs.

CHDM has signed a four-year Intergovernmental Full Maintenance Vehicle Lease (FML) Agreement with G-Fleet, an entity of the National Department of Roads and Transport.

The municipality said the vehicles would significantly improve water service provision, operations and maintenance across the district.

CHDM is the first municipality in the Eastern Cape to acquire service delivery vehicles through a government-to-government leasing arrangement.

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Komani Indoor Sports Centre Complex, CHDM Executive Mayor Lusanda Sizani said the municipality owned fleet previously cost about R3 million a month to maintain, while the current arrangement will cost about R1.5 million a month.

“The initiative effectively reduces fleet management costs while encouraging resilient operations and mitigating service outages. Under the FML model, the monthly lease cost per vehicle remains fixed for the duration of the agreement, enabling improved financial planning and budgeting,” said Sizani.

He said the event was emotional as the vehicles would contribute towards enhancing service delivery and improving the area.

“It was not good to expect service delivery without the necessary machinery. This initiative contributes to our unwavering commitment to service delivery. These vehicles will be stationed at our satellite offices to provide services to our local municipalities. This will strengthen our District Development Model,” said Sizani.

He said it was time to address service delivery challenges across the district. He called for greater visibility from municipal service delivery directorates.

“Between now and 4 November, you must deliver services, not because we are going to elections, but because we must use these vehicles effectively to improve service delivery. We are in a period where people act against government to galvanise support for the upcoming elections,” he said.

Sizani also said there were no two centres of power in the Chris Hani region.

“My ANC term as regional chairperson ends in June 2028, and I will be the executive mayor after the elections. Government vehicles are paid for by taxpayers, and employees also pay taxes. So when you handle a government vehicle, you must know you have contributed to it,” he said.

The fleet includes double-cab 4x4s, diesel carriers, single-cab bakkies, a 22-seater minibus and a 16-seater bus. Some of the vehicles are still undergoing licensing and mandatory vehicle inspections to ensure they meet all roadworthiness requirements before being distributed.

G-Fleet acting Chief Operations Officer Vuyisa Mankumba said CHDM employees had undergone a two-day workshop on their responsibilities when using the fleet.

“G-Fleet started as a Gauteng government initiative, but because of our capability, we decided to work with local government across the country. We are governed by the Intergovernmental Framework approved by National Treasury. The framework allows us to conduct intergovernmental business without going out to tender. We do not compete with provincial government garages, but rather complement their capacity,” he said.

Mankumba said G-Fleet helps municipalities manage their vehicle fleets more effectively and provides fleet management solutions.

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