The Eastern Cape portfolio committee on Transport is considering embarking on oversight visits to the province’s three state garages‚ following an expose into how its vehicle fleet valued at R100 million was being stripped for parts.

These cars are part of the government fleet‚ which are meant to be auctioned off after they reach 150‚000km for sedans and 250‚000km for bakkies. Others are state vehicles which have been written off following accidents.

 But a Dispatch investigation into the rotting fleet this week uncovered how the state-owned cars in the three government garages in the province were being stripped for parts‚ including engines. The makes include luxury brands such as Mercs.

The provincial department of transport has not been able to organise regular auctions as auctioneers complained that the reserve prices set by the department were too high‚ the newspaper reported. The department wants a minimum of R50‚000 for each vehicle.

 Committee chairwoman Ntombizodwa Xhanti said on Thursday she planned to make a formal request to the legislature to approve oversight visits to the state garages in East London‚ Mthatha and Port Elizabeth.

“As the chairperson I noted this ... I spoke with my researcher and coordinator to say we must have this kind of a visit. For the visit to happen‚ it will also depend on the approval of our request‚” she said.