AN EAST London motorist has opened a case of theft against the police after his car was allegedly stripped while impounded.
Mureed Lucas from Amalinda said his car had been taken to the police’s Vehicle Safeguard Unit in West Bank in December last year on suspicion of being stolen.
“I took my car to the traffic department in Arcadia to get clearance. I was surprised when they told me they suspected it was stolen and it had to be impounded for investigation.”
He said he had received an SMS from a police officer last week Monday informing him he could collect the car from the unit as they had completed their investigation into the matter. “When I arrived at the unit last week Wednesday the bonnet was open, the battery, radiator and the car’s spoilers were missing.”
Lucas said he had to hire a tow-truck to get the vehicle home. “When my car was impounded it was mobile,” he added.
Lucas opened a case of theft at the Fleet Street police station and said he was also planning to sue the police.
Last year the Daily Dispatch reported that security at the unit had become lax after car parts were reported stolen from vehicles. There were also two shooting incidents between police and suspects at the unit, but provincial police authorities denied security was slack.
The South African Police Union general secretary Oscar Skommere said the SAPS risked being sued by owners of motor vehicles after police investigations were completed.
He said: “No one expects their car to be stripped while in the care of police. It is the responsibility of the SAPS to ensure that these cars are safe from criminals.”
East London police spokesman Colonel Mtati Tana referred questions to the provincial police. No response had been received at the time of going to print. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Upset motorist opens theft case against police
Mureed Lucas from Amalinda said his car had been taken to the police’s Vehicle Safeguard Unit in West Bank in December last year on suspicion of being stolen.
“I took my car to the traffic department in Arcadia to get clearance. I was surprised when they told me they suspected it was stolen and it had to be impounded for investigation.”
He said he had received an SMS from a police officer last week Monday informing him he could collect the car from the unit as they had completed their investigation into the matter. “When I arrived at the unit last week Wednesday the bonnet was open, the battery, radiator and the car’s spoilers were missing.”
Lucas said he had to hire a tow-truck to get the vehicle home. “When my car was impounded it was mobile,” he added.
Lucas opened a case of theft at the Fleet Street police station and said he was also planning to sue the police.
Last year the Daily Dispatch reported that security at the unit had become lax after car parts were reported stolen from vehicles. There were also two shooting incidents between police and suspects at the unit, but provincial police authorities denied security was slack.
The South African Police Union general secretary Oscar Skommere said the SAPS risked being sued by owners of motor vehicles after police investigations were completed.
He said: “No one expects their car to be stripped while in the care of police. It is the responsibility of the SAPS to ensure that these cars are safe from criminals.”
East London police spokesman Colonel Mtati Tana referred questions to the provincial police. No response had been received at the time of going to print. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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