MISA Demands Answers After Vehicle Stripped While in SAPS Custody

26 October 2026

For immediate release

MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, is deeply concerned by a recent Gauteng High Court ruling that found the Minister of Police liable after a woman's vehicle was stripped of critical components while in the custody of the South African Police Service (SAPS). In a judgment that raises serious concerns about accountability and the security of vehicles held by the state, Acting Judge Jacques Minnaar found that SAPS had failed in its duty to safeguard Suzette Ropafadzo Paradza's 2014 Volkswagen Golf while it was stored as an exhibit at the SAPS 13 storage facility in Pretoria West.

When Paradza eventually collected her vehicle, its engine had been removed. Further inspection revealed that the gearbox, alternator, starter and catalytic converter were also missing. The court subsequently held the Minister of Police liable and refused to enforce an indemnity she had signed upon collection of the vehicle.

While the matter concerns one motorist, the implications extend far beyond a single case. If a vehicle can allegedly be stripped while under the protection of law enforcement, South Africans are entitled to ask whether their property is truly safe once it enters police custody. Public trust is undermined when the very institutions entrusted with protecting property fail to ensure its security.

"Motorists hand over their vehicles with the reasonable expectation that they will be protected and returned in the same condition," says Martlé Keyter, Chief Executive Officer: Operations at MISA. "When a vehicle is stripped while in police custody, it raises troubling questions about oversight, accountability and the effectiveness of security measures at state-owned facilities."

The incident also highlights the broader impact of the illicit vehicle parts trade. Every stolen component fuels an underground economy that deprives legitimate businesses and skilled automotive workers of income and opportunities.

MISA calls on the Ministry of Police to urgently conduct a nationwide audit of all vehicle storage facilities under SAPS control, strengthen security and access-control measures, improve inventory and chain-of-custody processes, and ensure that any official found negligent or complicit is held accountable. Greater transparency is also needed to protect motorists and restore public confidence in the system.

"An indemnity cannot become a substitute for accountability," concludes Keyter. "If a vehicle is not safe in police custody, then it means it is not safe anywhere."

Issued by Sonja Carstens, Manager: Media and Communication, on behalf of the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA).

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