An East ondon motorist is crying foul after students protesting in Currie Street on Monday night allegedly stoned his car.
Rodney Sparg, who drives a Ford Ranger, said while moving off the North East Expressway into Currie Street via Fitzpatrick Road, he noticed a fire about 200m away.
While attempting a U-turn in a panic, Sparg said hundreds of students allegedly charged at him, pelting his vehicle with rocks.
Slamming his foot on the accelerator, Sparg said he managed to speed off towards Eastern Cape Motors with students giving chase.
The alleged incident happened around 8pm.
“I was on my way to fetch a friend from the airport when I saw the fire burning. I must have been 200m away when they charged at me with no warning or anything,” Sparg said. “About 100 students pelted my car with stones. I had to drive away as fast as I could to get out of there to save my life. I must have been doing about 140km/h,” he claimed.
Damage to the car included a broken tail-light, two broken back windows, a broken passenger window, broken side mirror and several dents on the body.
Sparg has since taken his car to a bodyshop to have the damage evaluated before opening a case at Fleet Street police station.
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property was being investigated.
“I can confirm that several motorists from East London have opened similar cases after their vehicles were damaged during the student protests,” Mqala said.
“All of these cases are currently being investigated,” she added.
Sparg said the alleged incident had left him shaken.
“And I’m also really angry, but I understand that no one will really be held responsible for this because it was a group of students and I couldn’t even see anyone’s face.
“It’s just really unfortunate that things like this have to happen,” he said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
Protesting students stoned my car, says angry motorist
Rodney Sparg, who drives a Ford Ranger, said while moving off the North East Expressway into Currie Street via Fitzpatrick Road, he noticed a fire about 200m away.
While attempting a U-turn in a panic, Sparg said hundreds of students allegedly charged at him, pelting his vehicle with rocks.
Slamming his foot on the accelerator, Sparg said he managed to speed off towards Eastern Cape Motors with students giving chase.
The alleged incident happened around 8pm.
“I was on my way to fetch a friend from the airport when I saw the fire burning. I must have been 200m away when they charged at me with no warning or anything,” Sparg said. “About 100 students pelted my car with stones. I had to drive away as fast as I could to get out of there to save my life. I must have been doing about 140km/h,” he claimed.
Damage to the car included a broken tail-light, two broken back windows, a broken passenger window, broken side mirror and several dents on the body.
Sparg has since taken his car to a bodyshop to have the damage evaluated before opening a case at Fleet Street police station.
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property was being investigated.
“I can confirm that several motorists from East London have opened similar cases after their vehicles were damaged during the student protests,” Mqala said.
“All of these cases are currently being investigated,” she added.
Sparg said the alleged incident had left him shaken.
“And I’m also really angry, but I understand that no one will really be held responsible for this because it was a group of students and I couldn’t even see anyone’s face.
“It’s just really unfortunate that things like this have to happen,” he said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
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