Thabisile Ngxongo is furious with Umtshezi Municipality. “They are teasing me. They are playing games with me,” she repeats.

Ms Ngxongo is referring to an incident where a municipal Tractor-Loader-Backhoe (TLB) damaged her Honda Ballade.

She explained to a reported from the Estcourt News that on July 30 she was parked outside a mechanic’s premises at the bottom of Connor Street. She was speaking to the mechanic while her friend was seated inside the car.

She alleges that the TLB driver was asleep inside the vehicle.

“I think that the driver suddenly woke up and realised that it was 1.30pm and his lunch break was over, he put the TLB into reverse and knocked into my car,” explained Ms Ngxongo.

Her vehicle’s boot and rear lights were damaged.

After calling the traffic officers and a representative from the municipality, Ms Ngxongo was requested to bring three quotations to the municipal offices the next day, which she did.

But three months later, the vehicle remains damaged and Ms Ngxongo is inclined to believe that she’s being toyed with.

“I have been to the offices many times, they are teasing me.

Each time they tell me that they are busy with the case and will call me back. On Friday I told them I am going to the newspaper,” she said.

“I want people to know how bad it is to do business with the municipality,” she added.

Umtshezi Municipal Manager Nonhlanhla Njoko confirmed the incident and said that “third party insurance processes and issues” were still being resolved, which was relayed to Ms Ngxongo.

“During the deliberations there were serious contradictions between the TLB operator and the lady. The Asset Manager has been so helpful to the complainant. The contradictions between the lady, the TLB Operator and the eye witnesses can’t be overlooked,” commented Ms Njoko.