This morning, the charred remains of a 2023 Land Rover Defender were placed outside Land Rover Nelspruit in Mbombela. According to Lowvelder, the wreckage was removed two hours later by Van Wettens Towing.

Owner Pierre Coetsee says the act was a protest after months of an unresolved dispute following a fire that destroyed the vehicle in October last year. The incident has since become the centre of a standoff involving the dealership, the manufacturer and his insurer.

Protest after months of dispute

Coetsee maintains that despite repeated attempts to resolve the matter, he has received no meaningful support. He says the protest was a last resort to draw attention to his case.

Lowvelder requested comment from Land Rover, but no response had been received at the time of publication. As soon as it is received, an update to the article will be published.

The full story, including the background to the fire, the findings of a forensic investigation and how the dispute has escalated, will be published in tomorrow’s print edition of Lowvelder.

Social media reacts

The post on Lowvelder’s Facebook page has drawn hundreds of tongue-in-cheek comments.

Deon Bekker joked: “Ag you can polish that out.”

Richard Brueton added: “You can’t make a braai in the boot like the old Defenders, says it in the manual.”

Penuell Bafana Ntuli remarked: “I’m sure by monday the overheating problem will be solved.”

Tess Dias commented: “Better get a Land Rover recovery vehicle next. It’s called a Toyota.”

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.