Haven for criminals

Adding to the countless troubles most residents have encountered at the Florida Licensing Department, they now have to be careful of a new breed of car jammers using a quite unique technique. Struben’s Valley resident Jaco Mostert described the experience he had at the department as an extraordinary one. “If anyone wishes to see the jamming process in action, in living colour, they need go no further than there to see packs of hyenas disguised as ‘car guards’ roaming around preying on the unwary all day long.”

Mostert explained that while the guards act like they are helping you to park your car when you arrive at the licensing department, they actually use that opportunity to see what they can steal from your car.

“Just before I left my car, I placed my laptop bag in the boot,” he explained.

He was shocked when he came back as he wanted to put some documents in the bag only to find that it disappeared. When he asked the car guard, Mostert said the guard was all defensive. He said he then went to report the matter to the security. “He told me that indeed vehicles are not safe as their car guards are thieves. It is believed that they store the stolen goods in a veld, close to the licensing department.

“If they know these guards are criminals, why do they let them operate from their premises?,” questioned Mostert.

He also shared that while trying to resolve his issue, another motorist also found the window of his car smashed. “You can clearly see that this a haven for criminals, all sorts of criminals operate from here.”

Spokesperson for Metro Police Edna Mamonyane said it was advisable for people to park their vehicles in their yard as they cannot be held responsible for what happens outside of their premises. She did note that they do not have enough parking space at the Florida Licensing Department and advised residents to at least have someone accompanying them who will stay behind at the car while the other one is visiting their offices. “Unfortunately, we only have security inside our premises and not outside,” concluded Mamonyane.