A frustrated resident has tried numerous means to remove the car, which she says has been illegally parked for six weeks and is obstructing traffic in the vicinity of James Street. Despite calls to both CAP Security and Metro police, the vehicle, which has a licence disc that expired in 2008, remains. According to the resident, Metro police have refused to tow the car as it has not been reported stolen.
Ward 72 Councillor Steven Kruger said while the vehicle’s licence disc is expired, the car may not be abandoned. According to Kruger, apparently abandoned vehicles are often owned by families of domestic workers, and are simply not driven on a regular basis.
“People need to realise not everyone’s got parking on their premises,” commented Kruger, who estimates that in 80 percent of cases, the vehicle has not been abandoned.
Abandoned vehicles do not constitute a large problem in the ward, according to Kruger, who estimates only four vehicles have had to be removed this year. Those that are abandoned can be removed, but the process takes time, he said.
Residents should report an apparently abandoned vehicle, along with the car’s registration number and location, to either Metro police or 10111. After following the correct channels and acquiring a reference number, advised Kruger, residents should also inform the ward councillor, who can forward the matter to the ward sergeant for follow-up. Once the matter has been brought to their attention, metro police will inspect the vehicle and leave a warning notice giving owners between a week and 10 days to move the vehicle.
If the car moves within the given time period, even by a few metres, it is not abandoned and cannot be towed. If the vehicle has not moved, it is deemed abandoned and will be towed. However, removal is dependent on the availability of a towing vehicle, and may take a further few weeks. In all, Kruger estimates, a process that should take about 10 days usually lasts between two weeks and a month.
“There’s always a big divide between what should happen in theory and what happens in reality,” he added.
