Home-owner fights for his safety
Mr Nieuwoudt realised had he been home that night, and the vintage Opel not parked under the tree, the bakkie might have ended up smashing into his bedroom.
“Must I be killed in my own bedroom?”
After a bakkie smashed onto his property last weekend, wrecking a vintage car and a palisade fence, home-owner Andries Nieuwoudt found himself asking this question of the municipality.
Now his goal is to ensure his safety is guaranteed.
Mr Nieuwoudt realised had he been home that night, and the vintage Opel not parked under the tree, the bakkie might have ended up smashing into his bedroom.
“I’ve lived here since 1985 and this is the third time this has happened. It is always in the early hours of the morning – it’s the second time this year.”
Since arriving back in Newcastle earlier this week, Mr Nieuwoudt has been in contact with the municipality and his ward councillor, in a bid to have reinforced pillars erected on the verge in front of his home, and speed bumps installed.
“It is definitely urgent, I can’t see any brake marks on the road from the bakkie.”
The collision last weekend will end up costing Mr Nieuwoudt hundreds of thousands of Rand, not to mention the sentimental value of having his father’s restored, vintage Opel wrecked.
More of a family heirloom, the Opel was built up over many years.
The vehicle was written off after the out-of-control bakkie came to a rest on top of it, causing damages in the region of R100 000.
Valerie Roodt, who was visiting her boyfriend, JP at the house, remembers the collision clearly.
“I can remember hearing the crash, then the shouts, and seeing the driver running.”
At first, she did not realise the severity of the damage to the Opel, pinned as it was underneath the bulk of the totalled bakkie.
Losing a car was a loss of sentimental value, she added.
“It was scary to hear those sounds early in the morning.”
Police sources have repeated earlier statements, stating there have been no arrests made and no new updates on the case.
Democratic Alliance councillor, Bertie Meiring, who has taken over the duties of Ward 4 representative from Tanya de Jager, said he would arrange a meeting with Mr Nieuwoudt in the near future to discuss the matter.
Each ward has a limited amount of resources available, and Cllr Meiring said he would do his best.
