The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Thandi Tobias-Pokolo, nearly missed her flight to Brussels where she is attending the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states Council of Ministers Meeting after her official vehicle broke down and stall ten times between Bloemfontein and Kroonstad on her way to Pretoria on Saturday, 14 November 2009. Tobias-Pokolo uses a 2005 Mercedes Benz E350 vehicle that she inherited from former Minister of Trade and Industry, Mandisi Mpahlwa.
“The car has clocked more than 127 000km on its odometer and it came as no surprise to me when it started cutting petrol before completely stalling and refusing to go. I was stranded for more than 4 hours and had to request people working in my office to arrange a shuttle for me. In addition to the inconvenience, my security was compromised by this incident. As a result, I also nearly missed my flights to Brussels for the ACP Council of Ministers Meeting, and as a result I still do not have my luggage as it couldn’t go through on time,” said Tobias-Pokolo.
She also drives a nine year old 2000 model car in Cape Town.
She added that the incident indicated the need for ministers to purchase new vehicles that would ensure that they carry out their duties and obligations without any hindrance. Therefore the discussion on ministerial cars is not balanced and does not address critical issues of work.
Had South Africa missed the ACP meeting, which was preparing for WTO meeting in Geneva at the end of the month, this would have disempowered the country from participating in critical discussion to shape the view of the ACP.
Enquiries:
Lillian Mofokeng
Tel: 012 394 1775
Cell: 082 888 8362
E-mail: LMofokeng@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
17 November 2009
