Renee Venter’s Polo Vivo was hijacked in Boksburg on January 9, and recovered in Tembisa on May 26.
Upon recovery, it was taken to the Van Ryn Deep Vehicle Safe Guarding Section, in Benoni.
The car was in perfect condition when it was recovered and, on May 27, Venter went to Van Ryn Deep and found her car in good order and in working condition.
“I was then told to seek police clearance before I could drive it home, as it had already been fraudulently licensed on someone else’s name,” she said.
She was shocked to find the car bonnet open when she returned, with her husband, on May 31.
“The driver’s side mirror and the car’s computer box were missing,” she said.
No one knew anything about the thefts and she was advised to open a case at the Benoni Police Station.
The Benoni police refused to do this, however, saying they couldn’t open a case against themselves, and told her to go to Boksburg.
She was, however, later allowed open a case in Benoni, after approaching the station commander.
She was then forced to tow the car home and nobody assisted her.
Venter is still paying instalments on the car and she estimates the damage to be R28 000.
The City Times approached senior officers at the Van Ryn Deep vehicle section and they redirected us to the provincial police.
We asked the provincial police who is responsible for ensuring the safety of cars at the Van Ryn Deep, and who is liable for the damage considering that the car was under police guard.
We also asked for information on the progress of the investigation, and if there are any suspects.
Venter holds the police liable for the damage, so we enquired about procedures to be followed when instituting claims and to whom they should be directed.
Provincial police spokesman Brig Neville Malila said the matter is being handled by the Provincial Inspectorate Unit and that a case of theft is being investigated.
“The investigation relates to all the procedures that are being followed when a vehicle has been recovered by the police,” he explained.
He said there are standard procedures that police must follow until the vehicle has been handed back to the owner or disposed of in any other manner.
“Should it be established that the process and procedures were not followed, disciplinary steps may be taken against the responsible officers, said Malila.
He added that attorneys deal with claims against the police.
