NELSPRUIT – The local municipality has admitted to the wrongful sale of a woman’s motorbike and have offered her possible compensation for the loss. The motorbike in question was impounded by inspector Deon Fouche of Mbombela Traffic, after it was found to be unattended and unroadworthy nearly three months ago. The vehicle was parked near the Promenade and its driver, mr Francious Marais, was in the bank at the time.
Subsequently the vehicle was impounded before being auctioned off at a municipal auction without the knowledge of the vehicle’s owner, Ms Colette Dreyer. After weeks of digging and endless phone calls, Dreyer was no closer to an explanation or to getting her means of transport back.
Finally after relentless effort, she was informed that her means of transport had indeed been sold.
In an electronic response from Mbombela’s communication department on the matter, communications officer Joseph Ngala said “the motorbike was not on the list of items to be auctioned. However, it was sold and in turn the buyer sold it. And now it cannot be traced.”
On the reasons for the bike being impounded Ngala said “Mr Marais took two weeks to come forward with the motorbike license to claim it. The day he came, he only produced the motorbike papers. Inspector Fouche informed Mr Marais to load the bike on a trailer or bakkie and that was a challenge for Mr Marais who had to source transport to take the scooter as it was unroadworthy and unsafe to drive. In the meantime the Municipal Auction was about to take place.”
In acknowledgement of the council’s error, Ngala reiterated the fact that “the motorbike was unlawfully auctioned and the transactions have changed hands and the motorbike cannot be traced. The municipality is pursuing the matter internally for corrective measures to be implemented. Ms Colette Dreyer is requested to approach the municipality (Traffic services) for possible compensation on her property that was unlawfully sold.”
At the time of going to print Dreyer had not yet received a formal correspondence from the council is awaiting clarity on a time and a person to meet with at the traffic department in this regard.
