The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) significantly increased revenue in July through the sharpening up of its vehicle impounding operations.
This follows the City of Tshwane’s authorities receiving an uptick in complaints of vehicles parked in loading zones, bus lanes, and no-parking areas within its jurisdiction.
In July 2024 alone, the TMPD impounded a grand total of 917 vehicles, a stark increase when compared to the 270 and 357 impounds in May and June, respectively.
“The TMPD welcomes the significant improvements in both the efficiency and effectiveness of its vehicle impounding operations,” said Grandi Theunissen, MMC for Community Safety.
“One of the most notable outcomes has been the considerable increase in income generation for the City from impounded vehicles.”
The impounding fees alone generated approximately R2 million for the TMPD in July, with additional storage fees levied against all impounded vehicles not immediately collected by their owners further contributing to increased revenue.
“There has also been a marked decrease in complaints regarding the conduct of officials at the pound,” said Theunissen.
“This reduction in grievances reflects the positive impact of the TMPD’s focus on accountability, transparency, and professionalism. By fostering a culture of responsibility and high standards among staff, the pound now operates with greater integrity.”
Theunissen warns motorists not to leave their vehicles in no-parking zones and to avoid listening to informal car guards who might attempt to have them park in these areas regardless.
“These informal car guards are quick to disappear once the TMPD tow truck arrives,” he said.
EMPD Boksburg impound lot. Photo credit: SABC News
A growing problem
The City of Tshwane’s plight with illegally parked cars echoes that of other major municipalities around the country.
Recently, the City of Ekurhuleni notified the public that it would be selling or destroying as many as 173 movable properties as they remained unclaimed by their original owners for an extended period of time and were clogging up the city’s numerous impound lots.
Many of these vehicles were impounded after violating either municipal by-laws or the National Road Traffic Act, while others were involved in accidents and never retrieved by their rightful owner.
Ekurhuleni Metro Police (EMPD) has sent out numerous notices to the title holders as they appear on the National Traffic Information System, imploring them to come forward and collect their property, but few have heeded these calls.
“As law enforcement, we have high volumes of vehicles coming into our pounds for various transgressions, and as such, continued storage becomes a bit of a challenge,” said EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa.
After sufficient grace has been provided for owners to collect their cars, the authorities are entitled to dispose of them either by destroying or selling them at auction to recoup lost storage and towing fees.
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