WeeklySA_AdminCAPACITY: SAPS claims not enough manpower to police notorious street
By Thuli Zungu
It was not unexpected!
Garage doors started shutting down, roller gates rolled and padlocks clicked as Consumer Eye, the Gauteng Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Compliance unit; South African Police Services and the department of Labour Police Department ascended on the infamous Jules Street, in the suburb of Jeppe, Johannesburg, on Tuesday. Reputed as one of the longest streets in Johannesburg, Jules Street has also over the years earned itself the unfortunate tag of harbouring some of the most alleged “belligerent” of car dealerships around Gauteng.
Some of the dealerships, says the Gauteng Office of Consumer Affairs, had even become a law unto themselves. In repeated instances, these dealerships had the temerity to chase away inspectors barring them from conducting their duties.
There has also been a surge of consumer complaints arising from “shoddy” deals emanating from some of the dealerships operating on the infamous street. Obviously taken by surprise, Consumer Eye noticed most of the dealerships quickly shutting the doors of their business premises while some were seen fleeing the scene.
One owner, Lukman Bakare of Botola Logistics, was issued with a R2 500 fine for contravening the Second Hand Goods Act.. Apparently Bakare, who is a foreign national, had previously been issued with a notice last November to comply with the Act.
SAPS Captain Patrick Masango, the flash commander who led the operation, issued him with the notice to cease all activities and close his business until he complied with the previous order which was issued to him last November.
Bakare is registered to operate but does not comply with the Second Hand Goods Act and was fined R2 500. Several cars not registered in his books were also found in his premises and he could also not provide the register of the cars he had sold, as required. There were also tons of stripped car parts in his premises.
Another dealership owned by Irshand Khan of RSR Motors was found to be operating an unregistered dealership. He has been issued with the compliance notice more than four times but has not complied since, said Captain Masango.
Monitoring these dealerships has proven to be a futile exercise as two of those who were ordered to close business had reopened as the Consumer Eye and the police left the scene. It’s the duty of the police to monitor these dealerships daily, but it’s an impossible mission due to lack of human capacity, says Captain Masango. Another dealership owned by Irshand Khan of RSR Motors was found to be operating four unregistered car dealerships. He has been issued with the compliance notice more than four times but has not complied since, said Captain Masango. Monitoring these dealerships has proven to be a futile exercise as two of those who were ordered to close business had reopened as Consumer Eye left the scene.
Captain Masango said it’s their duty to monitor the dealerships daily, but it’s an impossible mission due to lack of capacity.
The Second Hand Goods Act regulates the business of dealers in second hand goods and pawnbrokers in order to combat trade in stolen goods and to promote ethical standards.
As things stand, the situation in Jules Street will continue to be a cat and a mouse game for some time to come between the police and the suspected wayward car dealerships.
Meanwhile, consumers are urged to be extra vigilant when contemplating on buying a car in one of the dealerships operating on Jules Street.
