Abandoned car sparks concerns
Abandoned cars are not only a nuisance, they are also a health hazard and crime risk to the surrounding areas.
According to Constable Thabo Malatji, from the Yeoville SAPS, the police received complaints about a car that had been abandoned for more than three weeks on Francis and De La Rey streets in Belevue.
“Abandoned cars can be into and all the valuables can be stolen. If the car is not attended to, criminals can strip it and sell the parts,” said Cost Malatji.
He added that criminals use abandoned cars for various reasons.
“Criminals can use abandoned cars to hide in, or to hide stolen items. Even worse, criminals can rape people in abandoned cars or use the vehicle as a place to hide a body. Residents should refrain from leaving their vehicles unattended on the street,” he said.
Const Malatji said the abandoned car reported to the police was not reported as stolen and that officers were trying to track the owner.
Ward councillor, Clr Carlos da Rocha, said that though the behaviour is not yet prevalent, it could lead to others also abandoning vehicles.
“Because the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) deserted their duty, we may see an increase of this behaviour. I called the JMPD several times to remove the car, but they did not. This was after the community complained to me several times. This could lead to other car owners doing the same,” said Clr Da Rocha.
The JMPD’s spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, said he would investigate why the car was not removed.
“By law, no car should be left unattended to on the road for more than seven days. It has to be removed. I have no records of reports about this car, but what I can say is that the law does not permit for it to be there,” said Chief Supt Minnaar.
He said a car could remain on the side of the road for seven days only if it was not obstructing the road.
Chief Supt Minnaar urged car owners to not abandon their cars.
