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Nearly 200 Impounded Vehicles in Ekurhuleni: Last Chance to Collect

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Ekurhuleni impound yard with rows of assorted cars, waiting vehicles at Johannesburg-area municipal police pound, citizens collecting impounded vehicles, Impounded cars lined up under Gauteng sun at EMPD pound, assorted motorbikes and trailers waiting in municipal impound facility, abandoned vehicles awaiting auction in Ekurhuleni Joburg ETC

A Festive-Season Reminder for Ekurhuleni Vehicle Owners

As people gear up for holidays, travel plans, and those busy December road trips, there’s a sharp reminder from the city of Ekurhuleni that hits home hard. Nearly 200 vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, caravans, and trailers, are sitting in the pound of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), waiting for their owners to step forward. If you don’t act fast, what’s yours could slip through your fingers.

Who’s Affected, and What’s At Stake

The list covers a wide range: from BMWs and Mercedes-Benz cars to Toyotas, Nissans, Fords, and Volkswagens, plus assorted trailers and caravans. Notably, there are no exotic or sports cars such as Ferraris, Lamborghinis, or Aston Martins, but for many residents, these are everyday wheels essential for work and family life.

If these vehicles remain unclaimed, the city will auction them off to recoup costs, an outcome some locals on social media have described with frustration as “losing your wheels for missing a letter.”

The Clock Is Ticking

The official call went out on 8 December 2025. Owners or authorised persons have until 27 January 2026 to collect their vehicles. After that, the city will start the process to sell unclaimed vehicles under Section 320 of the National Road Traffic Act 1996.

Here’s what you need to bring if you intend to reclaim your vehicle: valid vehicle registration papers, proof of identity (ID or passport), and any identification for the person collecting (if it’s not the owner). Payment is required for all outstanding fees: impoundment, towing, administrative costs, and storage.

Why It Matters, and What Could Be Better

For many Ekurhuleni residents, a car isn’t just about convenience. Without a vehicle, commuting across suburbs, getting to jobs, running errands, or even ferrying kids becomes harder, especially at this time of year when public transport is often overburdened.

Still, the situation raises the question of whether enough is being done to notify owners. Some people might never have seen the impound notice or perhaps changed addresses in the chaos of daily life. With nearly 200 vehicles involved, it’s likely that a portion of owners won’t see this reminder in time.

A Local Call to Action

If you live in Ekurhuleni and have had your car impounded at any point in the past months, do this now: check whether your vehicle is on the EMPD impound list, gather your documents, and reclaim it before 27 January 2026. It could save you from losing your transport and the hassle and cost of purchasing another vehicle.

If you know someone with a missing car, alert them too. The festive season is an especially bad time to start empty-handed.

Let this serve as a friendly but firm nudge from your city to act before your car becomes someone else’s.

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Source: The Citizen

Featured Image: Canadian Auto Dealer