Municipal driver fired after ‘unauthorised trip’ ends in crash
The Kgatelopele Speaker’s vehicle was written off after being involved in an accident on the R31.
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THE DRIVER assigned to the Kgatelopele Municipality Speaker has been dismissed after he was involved in a crash while travelling between Kimberley and Danielskuil.
It is believed the municipal vehicle collided with a truck and was damaged beyond repair. An unauthorised passenger was reportedly travelling in the car at the time. No serious injuries were confirmed.
According to sources, the driver was often instructed to collect passengers.
The municipality apparently only became aware that the vehicle had been removed from the premises after being alerted to the crash.
Kgatelopele municipal manager Willie Blundin confirmed this week that the driver was dismissed with immediate effect.
“The driver caused substantial damage to municipal property, and the vehicle has to be written off. Both airbags popped, and the driver will be held accountable for the costs and loss of the municipal asset,” said Blundin.
He added that charges of theft of council property and gross negligence had been opened, as the driver failed to obtain permission from the accounting officer to use the vehicle for the trip to Kimberley.
“No one approved the use of the council motor vehicle,” he said.
Blundin noted that he had not yet investigated whether the driver had claimed a subsistence and travel allowance for the journey.
“This case is serious in that the employee took the property of the municipality without permission. The fact that he did not park the vehicle, used it, and transported a member of the public constitutes a serious breach of our policies, which prohibit the transportation of unauthorised persons. Considering the evidence available, the driver was dismissed on charges of serious misconduct.”
SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the Danielskuil police were investigating a case of use of a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent.
“It is alleged that a Volkswagen Polo was involved in a collision on the R31 road on August 25 at approximately 3am. The investigation continues,” she added.