AN argument after an accident led to a motorist losing his car when it was set alight by the other party.
Residents were shocked to see the car on fire outside the Elsies River SAPS on Tuesday night.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said they were investigating a case of malicious damage to property following the incident.
According to police, the string of events that led to the torching of the car started with an accident at corner Halt and Owen Street in Elsies River in Cape Town on Tuesday, 1 November.
“The complainant, a 36-year-old Cameroon national driving a silver Ford Fiesta, was involved in a car accident with the driver of a white Toyota Hilux,” said Swartbooi.
The motorists apparently agreed to leave the scene and go to Ravensmead to discuss a settlement.
“On arrival, discussions escalated to an extent that the complainant was assaulted, upon which he went to the Elsies River SAPS. While reporting the incident, the driver of the Toyota Hilux arrived and gave his particulars for the report,” Swartbooi said.
“Then, an eyewitness stormed into the office and informed officers that occupants of the Toyota just set the complainant’s car alight and fled the scene.”
Residents said they were shocked to see flames at the cop shop at night.
“I thought it was a police car and some people in our community WhatsApp group were speculating that there had been an explosion. I rushed to the scene, although I was already in bed,” said Matthew Donklan (30), who lives close to the cop shop.
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He added that when he arrived, he realised that it was a private car and the owner was visibly shaken.
