Transkei thieves tangle with wrong motorist
I caught him after about 100 metres where he disappeared into the crowd.
EDITOR – A warning to travellers using the Transkei, while travelling through Umtata at around 7.30am, a young man climbed onto my trailer in the space between my bakkie and the trailer.
There he set about dismantling my trailer spare wheel in full view of traffic around us and passersby, while I worked my way through the traffic chaos.
Being aware of trailer and vehicle scams, I continually used my mirrors to monitor but obviously he jumped on when my attention was diverted. As he jumped off the trailer with the spare wheel in his arms, I caught my first glimpse of him. I jumped out and chased him through the traffic while he steered the wheel downhill as he ran. I caught him after about 100 metres where he disappeared into the crowd. I recovered my wheel and returned to my vehicle.
Meanwhile my passenger jumped out and monitored the situation as I chased the thief. Not considering that the driver’s side door was now unlocked, an accomplice brazenly opened the door and lifted my wallet from the console.
What upsets me most is not the loss of cards, money and inconvenience, but the loss of a photo of my wife which I have carried for over 35 years and the fact that, in full view of the residents, this planned and obviously regular theft was allowed to take place. So Transkei traders, I will never travel through your territory again. You need my business more than I need your roads.
PM JOUBERT
Former Amanzimtoti resident
