R1.6m Mercedes for Zulu king

Johannesburg - Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini wants a new, imported state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz S600 at a cost of more than R1 million to the taxpayer.

Zwelithini's desired German luxury saloon is powered by a V12 bi-turbo engine producing monster power of 380kW and a stump-pulling 830Nm of torque.

The car is capable of dashing from 0-100km/h in under five seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

The head of the Zulu household department, Vusi Shongwe, told the royal household portfolio committee last week that Zwelithini's current armoured Mercedes-Benz was unreliable and that the king needed a new set of wheels.

Shongwe told City Press that Zwelithini almost arrived at the opening of the provincial legislature recently in a 1984 jalopy because his current armoured vehicle had a problem. But fortunately it was fixed in time for the legislature opening.

Shongwe said Zwelithini also wants his new car's interior to be decorated with the Zulu Kingdom's emblem and fitted with a flag holder at the front.

Among optional equipment that comes with the car is night-vision technology - a system that assists the driver to see beyond the headlights during night time particularly for hazardous objects such as animals and pedestrians in dark clothes.

In December Zwelithini handed over six new Mercedes E-Class cars to his six queens, costing the taxpayer more than R2m.

Shongwe denied that the king's new vehicle will be armoured and will cost R1.6 million as reported, saying that amount would include maintenance of the new vehicle and the current armoured Mercedes-Benz.

Opposition parties have in the past slammed Zwelithini's expensive lifestyle at taxpayers' expense.

The provincial government is in the process of establishing a trust that will look after his needs.

But Zwelithini has already expressed his concern about the trust, saying though he is not against it, he would like the government department that looks after his interests to remain in place.

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