Questions over ‘stolen’ company car, E10 000 reward
MBABANE – Has the Toyota Hilux Legend 45 Double Cab registered OSD 252 BH been stolen or not?
This is the question that comes to the fore following a post on social media to the effect that the car had been stolen and its owner had put up a reward of E10 000 for anyone who may locate it.
One side of the story is that, a man employed by a company in Matsapha known as Allegiance Investment, failed to return the company vehicle, which was later reported stolen by the owners.
It is in this regard that a reward of E10 000 has been offered to members of the public who will assist in locating the vehicle, which has been missing since January. The vehicle was trending on social media platforms. The Director of the company, Royston Smith, confirmed that the vehicle was missing and that a reward had been put up. He, however, referred further questions to his legal team. According to Lawyer Hasso Magagula from Magagula Inc. Attorneys, a court order had been issued to attach the vehicle, a Toyota Hilux Legend 45 Double Cab registered OSD 252 BH. The applicant is Allegiance Investment and the first respondent in the matter is Henry Kwame Agymang.
Meanwhile, the second respondent is national commissioner (NATCOM) of police and third respondent is the attorney general.
Release
The court order reads; “The first respondent is hereby directed and ordered to release the motor vehicle to the deputy sheriff in the district of Manzini and any other authorised persons.
Directing the deputy sheriff from the district of Manzini or any other authorised person be empowered to attach and remove the motor vehicle from the first respondent or whoever found to be in possession and be kept with the deputy sheriff pending finalisation of the matter.”
Magagula noted that Kwame was
a former employee of the company, whose employment was terminated and had to return the motor vehicle in his possession which he did not. He said the vehicle was a working tool while he was still employed by the company.
Kwame, in an interview, stated that he was not aware of the court order, but saw the post of the reward on social media.
He said the company owner knew where he lived and anybody else. “I live in Manzini and they can serve me with the court order, I do not have a problem. I am not the kind of person who breaks the law.”
He said the car was not stolen, as the company owner knew very well where it was. “The car was bought at Westbank and I am the one who signed the papers, surety and everything, through the company. The car has always been with me and everyone knows that I drive this car.”
According to Kwame, he failed to understand what was going on about the car being reported stolen.