Bush mechanic ordered to compensate car owner P35 000

Frustrated by the lack of cooperation from a bush mechanic despite years of seeking mediation from the police for his car, Kanye native Gabriel Michael, 35, has finally taken legal action against the mechanic.

On Monday this week, the duo, Michael and the bush mechanic, Brighton Sakuringwa, appeared before Kanye magistrate Keneilwe Kgwadi, with Michael seeking P35 000 compensation for his car.

Michael narrated that he approached Sakuringwa and pleaded that he assist him with his sedan, an Alteza in 2021, as it had overheating problems and a few issues on the cylinder head that needed attention. Michael explained that the bush mechanic, Sakuringwa, towed the vehicle to his place for repairs, adding that ever since then, the car has not been returned to him. Whenever he called to inquire about the progress, the mechanic assured him that he was still acquiring parts for the vehicle. However, at one point, after being told many things about his vehicle, he decided to stop by Sakuringwa’s place to check on the vehicle. To his surprise, he was shocked to find the vehicle stripped, with some of its parts missing.

He said he returned home with the belief that the bush mechanic was in the process of servicing the car.

After a while, he noticed the mechanic, Sakuringwa, driving a different car with his mag wheels on it. Michael stated that he took the matter to the police to mediate, but the mechanic never complied. As a result, his Alteza was reduced to just a shell, with no engine or any other parts.

Prior to that, Michael said he was shocked to see his vehicle’s sunroof advertised on Facebook. He recounted taking a witness and visiting the mechanic’s place to inquire about the mag wheels and request that he returns them.

He stated that the bush mechanic threatened them and hurled distasteful remarks before they left his home empty-handed. Magistrate Kgwadi asserted that the bush mechanic, Sakuringwa was dishonest. During the trial, Sakuringwa claimed he only left the vehicle with his sister, but the car parts were stolen when the sister relocated. However, witnesses demonstrated that he had intended to benefit from the complainant’s car.

The court determined that the defendant is liable for the vehicle since he took responsibility for it when he moved it to his place. As the missing car parts cannot be restored, Sakuringwa is ordered to pay Michael P35 000 and retain the car he had taken for servicing.

Kgwadi ruled that the complainant should surrender the blue book for the Alteza soon after receiving payment. The magistrate also advised that Sakuringwa could make payments in instalments, but he must fully compensate the complainant by July 1st, 2024.

Magistrate Kgwadi warned that if the defendant fails to comply, the case will be escalated to the High court. Speaking to The Midweek Sun after the court’s decision, Michael expressed satisfaction with the verdict. “The Alteza is now a useless shell, there are no parts within it. He should compensate me so that I can get a new car,” he stated.