http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1362
Maintenance on Gauteng roads will suffer as about R300 million has been diverted from the province's road maintenance fund to pay for unexpected expenses, the Democratic Alliance said on Wednesday.
Neil Campbell, DA spokesman on roads and traffic, said more than R300 million had been diverted from Gauteng's road maintenance and construction programmes to fund expenditures to duplicate the offices of Roads and Transport and Infrastructure Development, which previously fell under the same department.
Funds had to be raised to duplicate the offices of the MECs with new heads of departments, chief financial officers and other positions.
"The full cost of this exercise has not yet been quantified although the MECs' offices cost R1 million," said Campbell.
Money was also needed to make up the shortfall for subsidised bus services inherited from the North West Province, following the re-incorporation of the Khutsong area into Gauteng.
This, Campbell said, amounted to R32 million over the whole year.
A further R151 million was used to facilitate the Gauride operation which provided free transport to soccer fans during the Confederations Cup.
"This amounted to R10 million in administration costs and R141 million actually paid to taxi owners," said Campbell. "Further costs will be incurred for the World Cup."
He said the closure of the unsuccessful Impophoma Infrastructure cost the department extra, as well as R8.8 million for additional salaries.
R300 million incorrect
Cobie van Antwerpen, acting chief financial officer of the Gauteng department of roads and transport said the figure of R300 million was not correct.
"The assertion that 'potholes in Gauteng will remain' is not necessarily true," said Van Antwerpen.
"What he [Campbell] fails to mention is what we said in terms of our plan to restructure our maintenance programme and the fact that we are going to finance them better than in the past."
Van Antwerpen said the department had sought an alternative funding approach in the form of public-private partnership.
"To this effect, we have secured a funding commitment to the tune of R5,5 billion towards road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance programme for the next five years."
Van Antwerpen said funding within the department was reprioritised to fund the two new departments from the existing budget.
He said most of the shift from infrastructure was for the Confederations Cup.
"The funding in respect of the Confederations Cup was mainly sourced from the Infrastructure branch. However, in respect of World Cup expenditure to be incurred, a special allocation was made to the department for the 2010/11 financial year," he said.
He said the R8.8 million for additional salaries was not taken from the maintenance and infrastructure budget.
"In general, the adjustments made to the budget as tabled in legislature in June 2009 were to align the actual budgets of the units to what should be published," said Van Antwerpen.
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Peugeot guns at Corsa bakkie?
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1363
Peugeot has revealed a pick-up with a 750 kg payload and a 207 face…
Like South Africa, bakkies are big in Brazil and Peugeot has answered to this call with the introduction of the Hoggar.
Designed in Brazil for its local market, Hoggar is an extension of the 207 line alongside the hatchback, sedan and station wagon. The company hopes to garner 10% of all pick-up sales in Brazil this year, with Hoggar providing the main thrust, of course.
The adorable little bakkie has a load volume of 1 151 litres and a payload of up to 742 kg.
It launches in Brazil in May with three trim levels and a choice between 1.4- and 1.6-litre engines.
While it seems an interesting proposal, the carmaker will restrict Hoggar sales to the Brazilian market for now.
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Driver fixes potholes himself
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1364
Despite threats of arrest, a member of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) has started fixing potholes on a road to his smallholding himself, saying they pose a danger to the lives of him and his family.
Pierre Bouwer, 54, a businessman from Vanderbijlpark and a committee member of the Vanderbijlpark NTU, started fixing potholes on the Stokkiesdraai Road, just outside the town, along with some of his workers on Wednesday.
"I'm fixing the potholes myself, because my family and I drive to and from our smallholding on this road at least seven times a day, and each time our lives are in danger."
Threatened with arrest
Mari Myburgh, chairperson of the local NTU, said she was threatened with arrest if they fix the potholes by themselves.
"Supposedly we don't have the expertise to do it alone, but Pierre has done his homework. He learned from the supplier of the material that one of the most important steps is to compact the base filler and tar," said Myburgh.
Bouwer said: "I'm not just filling the hole with soil to hide the problem.
"Rain water won't be flushing out these potholes so easily any more. I'll be giving lessons on Sunday afternoons," he joked.
He has challenged others to do the same.
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VATH Rocket Compressor based on SLK 55 AMG (416kW)
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1365
The VÄTH V58 is no ordinary sports car. It is based on the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG but with pockets more punch. Besides the engine, which we will talk about shortly, VÄTH also added its breakneck styling and aerodynamic package for visual delight.
The kit includes black carbon fibre front lips and a rear diffuser with large fins. A quartet of 19-inch wheels wearing 235/35 tyres at the front and 275/30 types at the rear can be ordered in silver, black or a different colour. A six-piston brake system with 378-millimeter brake disks is installed up front.
Power comes from the 5.5-litre V8 upgraded to a 5.8-litre displacement and strapped with a compressor. It takes maximum thrust from the factory 265 kW and 510Nm up to a huge 416 kW and 770Nm of torque. The 0 - 100km/h sprint was not quoted but a top speed of 310km/h is envisaged.
Other technical upgrades include a performance chassis, an optional differential lock, high-grade steel catalysts, sports pistons, polished cylinder heads, a sports air filter, a long-stroke crankshaft and exhaust manifolds.
The interior package lists things like a sports steering wheel with leather, carbon or fine wood trimming, depending on the customer's tastes.
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Mitsubishi In-House Tuner Ralliart Closes Doors
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1366
The company responsible for handling rally and off-road tuning for Mitsubishi will be shutting its doors. Japanese tuner Ralliart will be closing up shop on April 1 after 27 years in business.
In an open letter to his customers, Ralliart president Masao Taguchi said his firm is another victim of the economic downturn. The company will cancel their technical support plan and will no longer advise motorsport customers. The Mitsubishi/Ralliart Driver of the Year award has also been cancelled.
Only production of FIA VO Ralliart items will remain, but that will now be taken care of by Mitsubishi. Their catalogue of aftermarket tuning parts for normal customers has apparently been axed.
"We would like to express our sincere apology to all of customers," Taguchi said.
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