THE FATAL shooting of a tow truck owner, who was gunned down in Brickfield Road on Saturday night in an alleged tow truck turf war at the scene of a crash, has turned the spotlight on the towing industry.
According to Warrant Officer PZ Ngwane, communications officer for Mayville police, the incident occurred on Saturday, just before midnight. Police received a complaint that a pedestrian had been knocked down and responded.
“When the officers arrived at Brickfield Road, just after the N3 freeway, they saw tow trucks as well as paramedics at the scene. While they were busy attending to the complaint and clearing the scene, a second accident occurred when a white VW Polo crashed into a concrete barrier,” said Ngwane.
While police were busy attending to the second incident, Ngwane said they heard two gunshots. “Upon investigating, they saw one man carrying a firearm. The officers disarmed the man and also found the victim of the shooting lying at the side of the road,” said Ngwane.
Ngwane said the victim was identified as the owner of Jumbo’s Towing and Breakdown, 46-year-old Althaf Dawood.
Ngwane believed an altercation had broken out between opposing tow truck companies around the towing of the Polo which had collided into the barrier, but could not comment further on the motive for the murder. “We commend our members for controlling the volatile situation and managing to arrest the suspect,” he said.
Ettienne Pel, the national chairman of the United Towing Association of SA, UTASA condemned the senseless murder. “We condemn violence of any nature and expect people in this industry to be professional,” he said. He refused to comment on the matter which he said was sub judice.
“Many towing companies deem an area they work in as their turf. Unfortunately we are seeing gangsters entering the industry and bullying and violence occurs,” Pel said, adding that this was not restricted to a specific area and happened in various parts of the country. Pel said the towing industry was over saturated because of it being quite lucrative.
“Until we have a regulated industry, with rules and regulations in place and consumer protection law, such issues will continue. Without the support of government enforcement and regulation it is difficult because at the moment, anyone with a driver’s licence or PDP is able to enter the industry. We want some standards in place and towing operators with corporate governance,” he said.
The 30-year-old suspect appeared in court this week and was remanded to Westville Prison until 12 March. Mayville police are investigating the murder and are conducting an inquest into the death of the pedestrian killed in the initial accident.
