Tow-Truck ********** Claim

I went to Renew-it Autobody Specialist to collect my vehicle – VW UP which was towed to Renew-it Autobody Specialist premises without my authorization or signature by Help24 Tow Truck driver – Jacobs Johan on the 14th July. Renew it advised that I need to pay R9642 to Help 24 Yard in order for them to release my car. Johan claimed to have collected the wreck car from Honeydew accident scene which is incorrect. When I inspected the car at Renew-it Autobody Specialist , it was drivable, just minor scratches – therefore there was no need to tow the car at all.

Background:

My wife droving my car on Saturday evening – 14th July 2018 at low speeds of between 35 -45 km per hour coming from Witkoppen Road to join Hyperion Dr when a speeding delivery s****** cut in front of the car making a sudden dead stop between Hyperion Drive and Boxer Road (Northriding). It was at this time that my wife, slightly bumped the s****** at the back close to the four way stop sign. My wife immediately stopped the car to check for any damages and to check if the s****** biker was okay. Upon checking, the s****** was still up straight with the biker advising that he was okay and the s****** did not have serious damages either than the back registration number which moved out of place. As my wife was chatting to the biker afterwards, the biker advised my wife not to worry about incident, out of the blue, 2 emergency vehicle plus two Firstroad/Help24 tow truck arrived at the scene instructing everyone to stay “put” and not move. It was at this time, that the tow-truck driver – called Johan (who was driving Firstroad tow truck at the time but now mysteriously is employed by Help24) advised my shocked wife that they need to tow the car and that she cannot move the car by herself. They completed the paperwork in their handwriting and did not give my wife anything back or discussed as to where the car was been towed to. Johan asked my wife who was the owner of the car and what were his vehicle insurance details. My wife provided them with the requested information. Strange enough my house is around the corner from the scene of the accident in Bellairs Drive and the car should have been towed or driven to my house. The car was drivable and no damages except scratches. The s****** drove off while that car was “forcefully” being towed despite being drivable. One of the two truck drivers dropped my wife at our home in Bellairs drive which is about +/- 1km from the accident scene around 7:pm on 14th July 2018 and he advised that we will only be able to get the car on Monday the 16th July 2018.

When I visited Renew-it Autobody Specialist early this morning, I inspected the car which was not yet assessed by Renew it. When I asked for the released of my car I was told that there may be tow-charges therefore I can get my car until those charges are paid. I was shocked that Help 24 charged me R9642.75 for unauthorized towing, false administration, false recovery, false storage and false Security Fee. The facts are as follows:

• I did not authorize any towing as the lawful owner of the vehicle from the scene of the accident • My car was never at Help24 Yard storage but dropped off at Renew-It premises on the 14th July 2018 directly from the scene of the accident • Johan **** stating that the car was at Help24 yard and would be moved at 12 pm to Renew-it premises. I then discovered this lie when I asked him if I can collect the car directly from the yard, he responded by stating that they will charge me a fortune if I collect from the yard therefore I must wait for it until it gets to Renew-It ( The car was never at help24 yard). • The distance between the scene of the accident to Renew-it is 6km only and they are charging R4500 for towing a “drivable” car (talk about “****************). • Administration costs of R950 – For what? (Help24 did zero admin) • Recovery charge of R1500 – recovery of a “drivable car”. • The worst is the “security fee” being charged for a car that never entered Help24 premises.

I am actually surprised that someone actually typed “false” information on a legal document ( Invoice). Til now, I still dont have my vehicle back and they insist on me paying towing charges to the value of R9642.75. I need help.