************** TOWARDS DISSABLED PEOPLE

During the latter part of November 2024, I Dries Oosthuizen took my boat to Lutz Marine CC in Vanderbijlpark. I was advised by Zack from River Boys a boating business in the same vicinity as Lutz Marine to take my boat to Lutz Marine as they still performed work on two-stroke out board boat engines. When I took my boat in, I spoke to a young man called Gerard. I explained to him that the boat "drowned" as the engine went under water and when the boat was started again it over revved and the engine immediately had to be killed. I had to enquire about the progress made with my boat and I was told that the carburetor had to be cleaned and that I had to, from now on premix the fuel and two stroke oil as it was not possible for them to fix the auto loob function on my Yamaha boat engine. On the 12th of December 2024 I collected the boat, paid R2 798.00, and the owner named Barbara was friendly and she also re-iterated how important it was to mix the fuel. I acknowledged that I was aware of the requirement to mix the fuel, however she kept on explaining it to me, to the point that she was amazed that a blind person can understand how to mix the fuel. the weekend starting on Friday 13 December 2024, I went down to my farm on the Vaal River by the Bloemhof Dam. My manager on the farm who operates the boat for me did not see any loose spare part ie. oil injection pump in the boat. Afterwards, on 31 January 2025, I confirmed with him that he did not see spare parts in the boat. I returned on Monday 17 December 2024 to Vanderbijlpark where I live and brought the boat with. the boat was stored in my warehouse on mu premises where it is locked. On Tuesday 21 January 2025, I took the boat from the warehouse where it was kept locked to Yamaha World in Sandton. At Yamaha World I dealt with Rasheed in their marine department. On Friday 31 January 2025 I called Rasheed, and he explained the following. The reason why the auto loob was no longer functioning is: The distribution shaft in the motor had snaped and can no longer distribute the oil to the separate cylinders, however he asked me regarding the were abouts of the electric two stroke oil pump that feeds the distribution in the engine. I rep**** that I was unaware of the fact that the two stroke oil pump was no longer connected to the two-stroke oil tank. I decided to call Lutz Marine and ask about the ware abouts of the pump. When I called the call was answered by Barbara and she immediately questioned Bennie "the mechanic" about the pump. Her staff reverted that they put the pump inside the boat. I then called Rasheed and asked him to look inside the boat and he physically stepped inside the boat and assured me that there was no part i.e., two stroke oil pump. I then went back to Barbara, and she undertook to investigate the matter and get back to me still Friday afternoon, she never did. on Monday 3 February 2025 I called Barbara and asked why she did not get back to me on Friday afternoon and I insisted on Lutz Marine to furnish me with my two-stroke oil pump even if it is seized. When I became addamend that I demand my two-stroke oil pump she cut the phone call. The cost of these pumps is between R15-20 000.00. Lutz Marine insisted that they could not fix it. Yamaha World says that they can fix it. My take is: the pump "disappeared" as the BLIND MAN would not know the better and was instructed to premix the fuel and therefore, he would not miss his pump. I take exception to the fact that A customer was treated by Barbara in the way she treated me, let alone the fact that I am blind, and they are taking advantage of my disability, as they are of the opinion that my intellect sits in my eyes, and I would therefore not notice if the pump was there or not. I would advise all members of the boating fraternity in South Africa but especially in the Vaal Triangle to stay clear of Lutz Marine as they are ***********, discriminating and insulting in their conduct to disabled customers trying to lead a normal life.