Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has admitted to spending over R454,000 in taxpayer money for “ground transportation” costs during his time in Paris for the Olympic Games.
This as the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture found itself in a media storm this week for the minister’s trip, which saw the taxpayer fork out over R800,000. He travelled with seven other officials.
While details about this seemingly premium “ground transport” had yet to be revealed, IOL Motoring explores the cars that the minister and his officials could have bought for the R454,000 price in Mzansi.
McKenzie himself slammed the idea that he went to Paris for a “joyride” and it appears that the charismatic minister is also concerned about the amount spent and is demanding answers.
In a letter to the Department’s acting director-general, McKenzie has asked for a breakdown of these costs, particularly the “exorbitant” amount of R454,000 listed for “ground transport”. He is expected to partake in a press conference later on Thursday.
What can ground transportation costs can buy you in SA?
With R454,000 to spend, which is about R60,000 more than the average transaction price of a new vehicle in the country, we have found several options which may be to the minister’s liking.
– Jetour Dashing, R439,900
Fancy a sporty new Chinese SUV? The minister could have bought the new Jetour Dashing, which costs R439,900 in base guise and R469,900 as a Deluxe.
Both are powered by a 1.5-litre turbo engine that thumps out 115kW, and features across the board include 19-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather seats and dual-screen cockpit, while the flagship throws in a panoramic sunroof, eight-colour ambient lighting and 360-degree parking camera to assist with tricky manoeuvres, like the press conference Gayton was due to present on Thursday.
– Chery Tiggo 7 Pro 1.5T, R442,900
However, that’s not the only ‘fully loaded’ Chinese SUV available at the price point, as one could also lay hands on a Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T ‘Ultra Luxury’ for R462,950, a Chery Tiggo 7 Pro 1.5T Distinction (R442,900), a Beijing X55 1.5T Elite (R464,900) or a GAC GS3 Enzoom (R469,900).
– Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XS, R443,900
If the minister wanted to stick with a more established brand, and support local manufacturing at the same time, the locally built Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XS is a perfectly sensible option for R443,900, although the hybrid version could prove a bit of a stretch at R486,100.
– Suzuki Jimny 5-Door, R457,000
But if McKenzie wanted to get far away from the madding crowds, he could also opt for a Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 1.5 GLX AllGrip manual model, at R457,000.
It might be tight on space, but with its part-time four-wheel drive system and low-range gearing, the little Suzuki could tackle just about any hardships you throw at it, except perhaps an inquisitive journalist demanding to know why that Paris trip cost so much.
Yet given the minister’s keenness to bring Formula One to South Africa, it’s very possible that he might want something with a bit more fizz than the aforementioned SUVs.
– Suzuki Swift Sport, R432,900
Unfortunately there aren’t too many performance hatchbacks available at that price, with the only real enticing option being the Suzuki Swift Sport at R432,900. With its lightweight hatchback shell and a 1.4-litre turbo engine that pushes 103kW, the little Suzuki can dash from 0-100km/h in around eight seconds.
– Polo 1.0 TSI Life, R431,400
Unfortunately a Volkswagen Polo GTI will set you back by R567,000, so the Minister will have to settle for the 1.0 TSI Life auto, at R431,400, if he really wants to join the Polo driving club.
But there’ll be no Vrr-Pha in this baby.
But why not buy a Golf GTI? A quick search on the used car portals shows one can buy a Golf 7 GTI with 100,000km to 130,000km on the clock for under R450,000.
Then again, the Sports Minister wants to make spinning one of the biggest sports in Mzansi, and in that case only a rear-wheel drive coupe will do.
In that case, a 2018 M240i Coupe could make for a really entertaining toy at at R445,000.
IOL