Tshwane Sets Final Deadline As Unclaimed Impounded Vehicles Face Crushing

Motorists across Pretoria are being urged to act fast as the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) moves ahead with plans to destroy thousands of impounded vehicles by the end of February. The warning applies to any car, motorcycle, trailer or caravan that has been sitting at the city’s pound for years, with some dating back as far as 2001.

What Led To The Large Backlog

Over the past two decades, vehicles have steadily piled up at the Madiba Street impound yard as many owners either abandoned them or failed to follow the proper process to retrieve them. By law, a vehicle can only remain at the pound for a limited time before it must be cleared, yet many remain unclaimed long after notices have been issued.

With storage space exhausted and legal timelines reached, the City says it can no longer delay the disposal process.

What Motorists Need To Do

TMPD is urging anyone who thinks their vehicle may be at the pound to visit the site at No 1 Madiba Street in Pretoria Central. Owners will need to produce their registration certificate and a valid ID to start the reclaim process. All outstanding costs linked to the impoundment, including storage and administrative fees, must be settled before any vehicle can be released.

The TMPD has reminded motorists that failing to keep their address and contact details updated on the national eNaTIS system often results in owners missing important notices. The department is urging residents to update these details immediately, especially if they have recently moved.

What The Law Says About Disposal

The destruction of unclaimed vehicles is not a sudden decision. Municipal regulations allow the City to dispose of vehicles once the legal holding period of around 120 days has lapsed and proper notices have been sent. This process is supported by Regulation 320 of the National Road Traffic Act, which guides how municipalities store, manage and ultimately remove abandoned vehicles to recover operational costs.

February 28 Is The Final Cutoff

The City of Tshwane has set 28 February 2026 as the final day for owners to reclaim their property. After that deadline, all uncollected vehicles will be handed over to a contracted crushing company, marking the end of a long-running problem that has strained pound capacity and municipal resources.

A Final Call Before Permanent Loss

For motorists who suspect their car may be sitting behind the pound’s gates, the message is clear. Visit the yard, bring the correct documents and settle the outstanding costs. After years of storage, the City has reached a point of no return, and once the crushing process begins, the loss will be irreversible.

If in doubt, check now. A short visit could be the difference between recovering your vehicle or watching it become scrap metal.

{Source:IOL}

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