CROWN Gardens pensioner Ronnie Fick (80) still cannot believe his R1 000 is gone after a ‘mechanic’ promised to fix a diff of his bakkie back in November last year.
Ronnie met with the COURIER on January 9 to relate his ordeal. He said on that fateful day in November he was at Southdale Shopping Centre when his bakkie wouldn’t start.
“While I was busy fiddling with the bakkie, this chap came and offered to help. Desperate, I allowed him to help me,” explained Ronnie. “He offered to fix it if I can give him R1 500, he said R1 000 for the part of the diff and R500 for his labour. He came to my house, I initially gave him R800 and he returned for the R200. I only knew him as Gavin, he gave me his address and contact numbers. I only found out later that is was his granny’s address in Bellavista and friend’s contact details.”
When Ronnie went to Booysens Police Station to open a case against Gavin, he was advised to go to the Small Claims Court. However this was a futile exercise as he didn’t have the correct address or contact details for Gavin.
“I know I will never get back my money back but I want to warn other people, especially pensioners, that there are cruel people out there, be careful,” said Ronnie. “I mean we get a mere R1 600 pension grant and this guy took my R1 000 just like that? I am just a pensioner.”
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