Beware of towing companies like this one
2005-03-31
THE response by Boland Towing to the complaint letter “Hierdie mense is aasvoëls” is ludicrous.
He says complaints about towing companies can be directed to Satra (South African Towing and Recovery Association), but this is an organisation representing the Towing and Recovery Industry.
Having no official authority and by definition defending the interests of itself, its members and the industry, Satra will not assist plaintiffs with any claim against a member.
Satra did not even acknowledge receipt of my complaint regarding Boland Towing’s attitude in an incident in which I was involved.
A glass object falling from one of their vehicles damaged my car. Repairs are quoted by an accredited panelbeater to the value of R6 500.
In response to my claim, Boland Towing’s manager Jacques Terblanche argued that:
* The damage to my car was old and not related to any object falling from their vehicle, in fact they denied that it ever happened;
* That I forced their vehicle from the road and threatened the driver;
* That I have to prove that the incident took place;
* That my panelbeater is the least reputable in Paarl.
Although this incident is not directly related to Boland Towing’s business activities, it leaves one to wonder what would happen should a vehicle be damaged during one of their towing operations.
Possibly Terblanche would use the same arguments as he did in my case, leaving the victim with only one option: fall back on Common Law.
The truth of the matter is that this industry is not at all regulated.
The proposed Tow Truck Bill was withdrawn and the self-proclaimed “self-regulation” by industry associations such as Satra only serves one purpose and that is to protect and defend its members against any attempt to attack or regulate the industry.
One should be careful when dealing with recovery services.
Johnny Wijnen
The owner of Boland Towing, Jacques Terblanche, replies: When a vehicle is damaged by us, we can gladly say that smaller repairs are paid for by us and larger claims are referred to our insurers.
We (and the vehicles we tow) are comprehensively insured with the biggest insurer in the country.
It does happen that vehicles are damaged on occasion and we had two such cases during 2004, both of which were minor and repaired at our own cost.
This gentleman’s “claim” against our company remains an unsubstantiated allegation to this day.
When he was asked to provide some proof or facts of the alleged incident, he decided to take the route of a smear campaign towards our company and we see this as an opportunistic part thereof.
As far as Satra is concerned, it is currently the only industry association that we can affiliate with in order to gain collective representation when dealing with government and industry.
They do not, however, become involved in financial claims against their members and cannot replace the court or “Common Law”, as the writer calls it, in this regard. .
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