Local police have invited the public to their annual auction of unclaimed goods.
Ever wondered what happens to the electronics, appliances, tools and other valuable items that the police confiscate and retrieve from criminals they have busted? Not many know, but these goods are usually auctioned off to the public and Sophiatown Police Station will be having such an auction on 2 August this year. From 9.30am that morning the public will be allowed to enter the station, view what is on offer and start making their bids for the items from 10am.
Spokesperson for the station, Captain TJ de Bruyn, explained how the process will work. “The public can view the items and bid on the ones of their choice. The items will go to the highest bidder.”
Police can confirm that items that will be auctioned have been in police custody for a long time and they have tried to find the rightful owners with no success. De Bruyn said, “It is difficult to say how long items stay in our storerooms but the police do give a substantial amount of time for items to be claimed. We also go through every step to find the right full owner of the items.”
According to Captain De Bruyn, the purpose of the auction is to sell all the unclaimed items and items that the police are no longer using. These items will not only come from Sophiatown police but also from Brixton, Booysens, Fairland, Johannesburg Central, Langlaagte, Moffat View and Mondeor police stations. He added that all the money collected from the auction will go to the national treasury.
Auction details:
When: 9.30am, 2 August
Where: Sophiatown Police Station (186 Main Road, Newlands, Johannesburg)
Details: Cash only.
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