AfriForum on Thursday said it had filed a “misappropriation” complaint with the Public Protector against the South African Police Service (SAPS) for buying luxury vehicles worth millions of rand for the wives of President Jacob Zuma.

Afriforum said it made the move after it “came to light that SAPS had spent R8.6-million from its budget on vehicles for President Jacob Zuma’s five wives”.

Monique Taute, AfriForum’s National Campaign Coordinator, said in a statement: “We hope that the Public Protector will launch an in-depth investigation into this matter and the she will address possible irregularities with the necessary urgency”.

The presidential handbook says the SAPS is responsible for the cost of the procurement, maintenance and running cost of motor vehicles for the use of ground transport in South Africa for the President, Deputy President and their spouses.

However, Taute said the continued purchasing of such luxury cars has been possible because there are no limits set to these costs.

“AfriForum views the misappropriation of tax-payers’ money as a national crisis and has already brought criminal charges against 13 provincial heads of department,” said Taute.

“This civil rights organisation wants to encourage the public to support this new complaint to put the necessary pressure on the Public Protector.”