THE police’s Vehicle Safeguarding Unit in East London has been targeted by criminals searching for car parts, but police deny security has become lax.
The car pound in West Bank has more than 200 stolen or confiscated vehicles, and recently there have been incidents of thefts and even shootings at the pound.
There are claims that security became lax after the SAPS dropped the use of security companies to guard key properties last year.
The value of car parts stolen from the pound is believed to amount to thousands of rands, and at least two deadly shooting incidents between police and suspects took place between April and May this year.
Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci confirmed some of the incidents, but denied that security was lax at the yard.
A police union, however, has warned that the police may find themselves being sued by the owners of cars that are damaged, or from which parts are stolen, while the cars are in police custody.
Soci said vehicles were being kept in the pound because investigations had not yet been finalised.
A Parkside woman is among three suspects disarmed and arrested after allegedly cutting a hole in a fence to gain entry to the property.
Another suspect was shot dead in a shootout with police in May inside the pound.
Both police and the Independent Investigative Directorate are investigating these cases.
Cases of trespassing, theft and attempted murder against the three suspects are being heard in the East London Magistrate’s Court.
The South African Police Union general secretary Oscar Skommere said yesterday the SAPS in the Eastern Cape risked being sued by car owners after investigations were completed.
Skommere said: “No one expects their car to be stripped while the car is in the care of police.
“It is the responsibility of the SAPS to ensure that these cars are safe from criminals.”
Soci said there were many reasons contributing to the situation.
“In some cases there is still a dispute of ownership or the vehicle was damaged at the time of recovery.” Soci confirmed the shooting but denied the vehicles were not being guarded. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Car parts stolen from police
The car pound in West Bank has more than 200 stolen or confiscated vehicles, and recently there have been incidents of thefts and even shootings at the pound.
There are claims that security became lax after the SAPS dropped the use of security companies to guard key properties last year.
The value of car parts stolen from the pound is believed to amount to thousands of rands, and at least two deadly shooting incidents between police and suspects took place between April and May this year.
Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci confirmed some of the incidents, but denied that security was lax at the yard.
A police union, however, has warned that the police may find themselves being sued by the owners of cars that are damaged, or from which parts are stolen, while the cars are in police custody.
Soci said vehicles were being kept in the pound because investigations had not yet been finalised.
A Parkside woman is among three suspects disarmed and arrested after allegedly cutting a hole in a fence to gain entry to the property.
Another suspect was shot dead in a shootout with police in May inside the pound.
Both police and the Independent Investigative Directorate are investigating these cases.
Cases of trespassing, theft and attempted murder against the three suspects are being heard in the East London Magistrate’s Court.
The South African Police Union general secretary Oscar Skommere said yesterday the SAPS in the Eastern Cape risked being sued by car owners after investigations were completed.
Skommere said: “No one expects their car to be stripped while the car is in the care of police.
“It is the responsibility of the SAPS to ensure that these cars are safe from criminals.”
Soci said there were many reasons contributing to the situation.
“In some cases there is still a dispute of ownership or the vehicle was damaged at the time of recovery.” Soci confirmed the shooting but denied the vehicles were not being guarded. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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