Private car wash workers warned not to operate state vehicles

The works and transport ministry has issued a firm warning that employees at private car wash facilities – commonly referred to as 'car wash boys' – are not legally permitted to drive state-owned vehicles under any circumstances, amid growing concern that this practice is happening routinely.

The warning follows observations of numerous government vehicles being washed at private car wash facilities, where it is common for employees to enter, start, reverse, park or reposition vehicles as part of their work.

This has raised alarm within government circles over who is actually behind the wheel of state vehicles once they are handed over for cleaning.

Transport ministry spokesperson Julius Ngweda said the law is unambiguous: only authorised government drivers may operate state vehicles, regardless of how short the distance or how routine the task.

“Car wash employees are not legally permitted to operate government vehicles,” Ngweda explained. “In terms of the National Transport Policy on Government Vehicles, read together with the Government Fleet User’s Operational Guidelines, only duly authorised government drivers may drive government vehicles. This position is further reinforced by the Namibian Road Traffic and Transport Act of 1999 and the Public Service Act of 1995.”



Costly risks

Ngweda stressed that allowing car wash boys who are private individuals with no formal authorisation, vetting or accountability, to drive state-owned vehicles exposes government to serious legal, financial and operational risks.

“This prohibition is a key risk-mitigation measure, particularly in light of incidents where government vehicles have been involved in accidents while being driven by unauthorised individuals,” he said.

In such cases, the consequences can extend beyond the car wash employee.

Ngweda explained that where an accident or damage occurs while a vehicle is being driven without authorisation, the designated government driver may be held financially liable for negligence, even if they were not physically present at the time.

Insurance limitations and contractual clauses may further complicate liability where external service providers are involved.

The ministry also clarified that taxpayer-funded vehicles are not supposed to be washed at private car washes as a matter of routine. Instead, all government vehicles are catered for through in-house washing facilities at government garages in all regions, funded via approved operational or trade accounts.

“These arrangements also cover the washing of official and dignitary vehicles during approved events,” Ngweda said. “Public servants are not allowed to pay for these services using personal funds, and petrol cards may not be used for car washing.”

“All government vehicles must be washed at designated facilities," he stressed.



Personal liability

Where external service providers are used, they must be engaged through established procurement and vetting processes to ensure compliance, accountability and adherence to government regulations, he added.

While internal controls exist to deal with misuse or damage to government vehicles, including disciplinary action and cost recovery, the ministry reiterated that handing vehicle keys to car wash boys remains a clear violation of policy, regardless of how commonplace the practice may have become.

Ngweda noted that misuse is less common when vehicles are entrusted to reputable, authorised service providers such as approved vehicle dealers conducting routine maintenance, where strict controls and insurance cover are in place.

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