Entrepreneurs in the City of Tshwane are taking advantage of an opportunity to benefit from an online fleet auction launched by the metro.
The auction started on Thursday, 12 March 2026 at 10:00 and will run for 24 hours, closing at 10:00 on Friday 13 March.
Interested buyers were asked to register on the auction website, and place bids on the vehicles of their choice. Auction deposits start from just R500, making the process accessible to a wide range of residents and entrepreneurs.
Opportunities for SMEs and first-time buyers
Residents were given three days to view the vehicles in person and record the codes needed to participate in the online auction. Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said the city wanted to ensure broad participation.
Tshwane entrepreneur Hlongwane Shingane, said owning a bakkie would allow his plumbing team to operate more efficiently.
“I need that 1400 for my plumbers and I did bid in the auction,” Shingane said, referring to the popular Nissan 1400 bakkie commonly used by small contractors.
Bongani Skosana shared his plans.
“I’ve registered and I’m bidding for a small truck for my logistics business. I want to have a bakkie and a small truck,” he said.
Moya said the City hopes the auction benefits a wide group of participants.
“We’ve done so much work so that everyone can participate and benefit from this process. We are truly hoping that it’s not only the guys who are buying in bulk that will benefit. Young people who can’t afford the most expensive cars can have their first cars from this auction,” she said.
The city has confirmed that all South Africans are eligible to participate. This opens the door for entrepreneurs, first-time vehicle buyers, and small business owners across the country.
Vehicles and equipment on auction include BMWs, Nissan 1400 bakkies, trucks suitable for logistics and bakeries, minibuses, TLBs, tractors, and other yellow machinery. These assets are particularly useful for small businesses in construction, plumbing, maintenance, delivery services, and agriculture.
These assets are particularly useful for small businesses in construction, plumbing, maintenance, delivery services, and agriculture.
How to participate and key considerations
Before the auction, residents were given three days to physically inspect the vehicles and record the codes required for online bidding. The auction is hosted by Riley Auctions Africa and covers municipal fleet and yellow machinery from several sites, including Bosman, Centurion, Akasia, Mamelodi, Pretoria West, Mayville, Soshanguve and Belle Ombrè.
While the auction provides an opportunity to acquire vehicles at lower prices than the open market, some residents have raised questions about the associated costs.
Sello Tau, a local resident, highlighted a concern.
“I’ve noticed that whenever the auction is conducted by Riley Auctions, there is VAT and a buyer’s commission that must be paid. However, from what I understand, government auctions usually do not include these charges. I may be mistaken, but this is something that worries me and I would appreciate some clarity on it,” he commented on the Mayor’s post.
This highlights the importance of prospective bidders reviewing the auction terms .
Some residents have also suggested that municipal vehicles could be used more directly to support township-based SMEs.
On X, a user named Maestro asked: “Why doesn’t the City identify SMMEs in the townships and give some of these bakkies away to small businesses?”
Vehicles such as these might be essential for small businesses, enabling them to transport tools, materials, and workers between job sites. The city encourages all interested participants to review the auction terms and conditions, and place their bids as opportunity unfolds.
