ERMELO – Members of various Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) offices in Gert Sibande conducted an operation on November 1, during which they and representatives of Data Dot visited various second-hand car dealerships to ensure they comply with regulations.

According to Captain Carla Prinsloo, spokesperson for the Ermelo SAPS, the VCIU conducts special operations from time to time to look for stolen vehicles and check up on dealers selling second-hand vehicles.

Various dealers were visited, and vehicles were checked for any irregularities or tampering with the vehicle or its Vin number.

“One vehicle was seized after investigators discovered some irregularities with regard to the Vin number,” Dishonest dealers or sellers may sell cloned vehicles or damaged cars, which are not safe, to clients,” Prinsloo said.

The commander of the Ermelo VCIU, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius, advised customers to preferably buy vehicles at reputable dealers rather than looking for bargains on social media.

Before buying a second-hand vehicle, take it to the VCIU for inspection.

The Ermelo VCIU can be contacted on 017 819 7801.