With Friends Like These In Govt, Who Needs Thieves

Last year I sold my car, a Volkswagen Mk III GS, to a close friend. The official transfer of ownership at the Governments Department of Transport (DOT) has not not been finalised yet because I have not been back to South Africa since February. Recently, however, the friend who I sold the car to found out that the ownership could still be processed in my absence if I filled out a couple of forms and provided certified copies of my identification.

My friend and I were glad to hear of this cost-effective alternative and by way of FEDEX I received the forms, filled them in and sent them back with copies of my identification certified by a notary of The South African High Commission in Zambia.

This week, however, my friend was informed by a civil servant at the Sandton office of the DOT that the transfer of ownership can not be completed because I am not in the South Africa. Apparently, I would have to be in the country to prove that my friend was not trying to steal the vehicle.

This "flip-flop" on the part of the "good" folks at the DOT for reasons of concern for my security literally became an insignificant matter in the next moment because the very same officer then proceeded to let my friend know that he could process the transfer for a small "fee".

I think we now have an idea of who the people with stolen cars may be talking to ...