South Africa’s first ladies cars

According to the government's latest tender bulletin, R700 000 (Rs 2.57 million) has been allocated for car rentals for Zuma's three wives through 2012 and 2013.

The police's protection unit will foot the bill, reported The Star newspaper. Except the newspaper is wrong - all money spent on politicians and their entourages comes out of your pockets through income tax, VAT, sundry levies and, of course, road tolls.

Top scorer in the deal is Avis Car Rental. The company won the contract that will earn it an estimated R30 000 (Rs 110 000) a month over the two years.

Wheels24 checked the tender documents but found particular vehicles were not specified. Avis is, however, contracted to keep on call, seven days a week in seven of South Africa's nine provinces, a luxury sedan or all-wheel drive SUV for the Zuma's three wives. Assuming this is for emergency "state affairs" the car rental costs would be R960 (Rs 3 500) a day.

According the tender documentat, a provision of a vehicle under the "luxury Class A1" sedan or 4x4 must be provided.

Below is a list of the vehicles in which our First Ladies could be chauffeured:

Sedan:

• Audi A8 or A6
• BMW 7 series
• Mercedes-Benz S600

SUV/4x4

• Audi Q7
• BMW X5 
• Mercedes-Benz ML
• Nissan Pathfinder
• Toyota Prado or Land Cruiser