With a shattered heart, Mr Blessing Sibusiso Shabangu told the tale of his taxi being taken by police officers and then dissapearing from the police station.
On January 3, he was at a local shopping centre in Tasbet Park, going downtown, with a taxi full of passengers. He said that when he was close to a hospital downtown, he was stopped by an unmarked vehicle.
“I was really scared at the time because I thought that I was being hijacked. I stopped and it was indeed police officers, telling me that they are taking my vehicle because they have to inspect it, to ensure that it is roadworthy. I did not argue with them even once, I fully co-operated and followed them to the station. They informed me that if my taxi is declared roadworthy, they will let it go. But the whole situation was a mess, because they first arrested me, telling me that I was a suspect and then they released me again,” Shabangu said on Saturday, March 25.
The police then informed him that they are booking his vehicle for ‘further enquiry’ and although he did not understand why, he let them do their job. This was after it was declared roadworthy.
“I left my keys with them and had to register everything that was in the vehicle as well as any scratches on the vehicle before I left. But they never took the car into the SAP 13 yard. It stood outside for very long and I then went back after a few weeks to enquire about the progress. When I asked the first person I saw close to the yard, he informed me that he has no information, he is only there for safeguarding. He also told me that if I need any information, I need to talk to someone else,” Shabangu continued.
The taxi of Mr Blessing Sibusiso Shabangu that dissapeared from the police station.
He added that the vehicle was still parked outside SAP 13, just locked but never taken into the yard. When he went back again on February 16, he was surprised to see that his vehicle was not there any more. This was after he received a phone call from the second investigating officer, telling him that they must meet at the station.
“I was at the station, not even seven days before and the vehicle was still there. We were even taking photo’s of it and now it has just dissapeared. I then went to a captain, in charge of SAP 13 who informed me that they are working on the matter,” he also said.
Shabangu then received a call from a third investigating officer who told him that his vehicle was wrongfully impounded, but Shabangu also came to the realisation that he can not take his car, because it is not there anymore.
“The funny thing is, that I know I locked my vehicle before I handed them the keys the first time. When I went back to take the photo’s, it was not locked,” he added.
Shabangu has a valid drivers license as well as a permit to drive a taxi.
“The officers even asked me how I can afford a taxi at my age, and I told them that I work for what I have. I worked for five years and that was how I bought the taxi. It was my bread and butter,” Shabangu also said.
Sgt David Ratau, media spokesperson from the Witbank Police confirmed that the vehicle was indeed at the police station but went missing.
“It is missing, but unfortunately the captain in charge is not available. I will find more information regarding this as soon as it is available. A docket for theft of motor vehicle was also opened and is being investigated internally,” said Ratau.
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