When the police seize or take possession of your vehicle, you would reasonably expect it to be kept safe until it is returned to you. But what happens when the very institution entrusted with protecting your property fails to do so? A Gauteng High Court has held the Minister of Police liable after a woman’s 2014 Volkswagen Golf was stripped of critical components while stored at a South
African Police Service facility in Pretoria West. When Suzette Ropafadzo Paradza went to collect her vehicle, the engine was missing. Further inspection revealed that the gearbox, alternator, starter and catalytic converter had also disappeared. The court refused to enforce an indemnity Paradza had signed when collecting the vehicle, finding the Minister liable for the loss. The ruling raises serious questions about the security of vehicles held as police exhibits, the effectiveness of SAPS storage facilities and the accountability of officials responsible for safeguarding seized property.
So, how widespread is the problem of theft and stripping of vehicles held in police custody? Who should be held accountable when critical vehicle parts disappear from state-controlled facilities, and what recourse do motorists have when their property is damaged or stolen while in the hands of law enforcement? We speak to MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, about the implications of this
judgment and what needs to change to protect motorists and restore public confidence.

PHAKAMILE HLUBI-MAJOLA -
SPOKESPERSON -
MOTOR INDUSTRY
STAFF ASSOCIATION.

When the police seize or take possession of your vehicle, you would reasonably expect it to be kept safe until it is&nbsp;returned to you. But what happens when the very&nbsp;institution entrusted with protecting your property fails to&nbsp;do so? A Gauteng High Court has held the Minister of&nbsp;Police liable after a woman&rsquo;s 2014 Volkswagen Golf was&nbsp;stripped of critical components while stored at a South African Police Service facility in Pretoria West. When&nbsp;Suzette Ropafadzo Paradza went to collect her vehicle, the&nbsp;engine was missing. Further inspection revealed that the&nbsp;gearbox, alternator, starter and catalytic converter had also&nbsp;disappeared.&nbsp;The court refused to enforce an indemnity Paradza had&nbsp;signed when collecting the vehicle, finding the Minister&nbsp;liable for the loss. The ruling raises serious questions&nbsp;about the security of vehicles held as police exhibits, the&nbsp;effectiveness of SAPS storage facilities and the&nbsp;accountability of officials responsible for safeguarding&nbsp;seized property. So, how widespread is the problem of theft and stripping of&nbsp;vehicles held in police custody? Who should be held&nbsp;accountable when critical vehicle parts disappear from&nbsp;state-controlled facilities, and what recourse do motorists&nbsp;have when their property is damaged or stolen while in the&nbsp;hands of law enforcement? We speak to MISA, the Motor&nbsp;Industry Staff Association, about the implications of this judgment and what needs to change to protect motorists&nbsp;and restore public confidence.
PHAKAMILE HLUBI-MAJOLA - SPOKESPERSON - MOTOR INDUSTRY STAFF ASSOCIATION.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope