Vehicle damage

Good day

We went to BP Thorntreee in Soshanguve on Saturday the 24th of January to fill in petrol and oil around 02h30 in the morning.

Once the petrol attended(Williams) has finished everything, he didn't put back the oil lid.

We drove all the way from Soshanguve until N1 highway after Nyl plaza without noticing that the oil is leaking.

Our car broke down on the highway at around pass 5am, it started making funny sound and the oil light became on, when we open the bonnet that's when we realise that the oil has been spilling.

We called the garage while stucked on the highway and explained to them what happened, whe 1st spoke to Queen(supervisor) who gave the message about the matter to Jack(supervisor), then Jack told us that they got our oil cap, we must go to the garage fill in the oil, it was explained to him that the oil cap needs to be replaced, the engine will need to be cleaned as the oil has spilled all over it, of which those were the things that we can see, He agreed that we can do those things, keep invoices and we will be reimbursed when we come back. He was asked how are they going to reimburse, he said cash.

We thought it's minor thing that can be fixed and we continue with our journery

We called the insurance for towing assistance as the car was not in the state to be driven.

We got towed to the nearest town (Polokwane) to get assistance.

We went to suzuki where we didn't get the oil cap, we went to midas and two other spares around we didn't get the cap.

The was a mechanic in the midas yard, who assisted us in making a plan that the oil tank be closed. Oil was re-filled but when we start the car, it was still making funny sounds. They diagnosed the vehicle and told us the car got a barring knock, which means the engine has been affected.

A call was made again to BP to explain the situation, they were told that the car will need to be towed back to Soshanguve and the cost for towing is R6 500.00 and we don't have such kind of money, we will come with the towing people and they must give them their money when we get there, then after realising that the problem is bigger than what they thought the tune changed. They consulted with their managers and gave the feedback that they won't pay for towing on hand.

We were stranded the whole day with kids in another province, miles away from home, destination not reached and none of the people who knew about the matter at BP Thorntreee understood the situation that we were in.

We made calls to people to come and assist us, we had to pay some meter taxi guy to tow us to the place where we think the car will be safe as towing the car to Suzuki dealer will incur storage costs which we don't have the money for.

My brother-inlaw had to drive all the way from krugersdorp to come fetch us and our belongings. That is another expense on us which was not not planned for and for something we didn't create.

We got to back from Polokwane around pass 10pm and went to BP Thorntreee upon arrival. Jack(Supervisor) was on duty and we told him that we are there to get our reimbur*****t as spoken in the early hours and during the day. He told us that he can't assist us, as none of the managers are not available and the money is with the accountants, we asked for the owners contact details, as the matter was not resolved and they didn't have that as well.

We asked whom do they contact in case of emergency, that didn't have an answer.

When we asked him to write down everything he is telling us, he started to be arrogant and told us to take the matter to BP South Africa.

Queen tried to intervine to try help the situation as we told her we can't wait for Monday, she promised to make calls to the managers to get the solution. She took pictures of the invoices we had on hand.

We have been driving the car from 2016 without any problems and now after 3 years someone decide to create a problem for us which was not there.

1) If it was not negligence of one of their own we wouldn't be in the situation we are in.

2) None of the managers were available on site to assist the situation, you are being told to wait for Monday and send an email, while they are the ones who has put you in a situation you are in.

3) We asked about the incident form that needs to be filled, none was available.

4) We asked about the foootage, we were told they save it when incidents like this arises.

5) The kids were traumatized because of the situation they were in, being in the dark and bushy place, waiting for almost 2hrs before you can get help to the nearest town. Had to wait the whole day before you can be home without reaching your destination.

6) Unplanned expenses were incurred in the situation

I need the car to be back to the same state that it was in, all expenses incurred due to this situation must be paid.

Regards Zandile Koketso Mabasa ***