Mpumalanga police have arrested a motor mechanic for failing to return his client’s vehicle and driving it around without her permission.
Police said the 34-year-old mechanic was due to appear before the Kwamhlanga Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Police in Kwamhlanga said they received a complaint on Sunday that a motor mechanic refused to hand over a client’s car.
Reports received by police said the victim's car, a Chevrolet Aveo, had an engine fault and the owner took it to the mechanic to be fixed. She paid R800.
“When the victim wanted her car back the man refused to give it back, saying that he was not yet done, but then demanded an amount of R6 000,” said the police.
The woman insisted the suspect return her vehicle but he kept refusing.
“He was later seen by others gallivanting around Moloto in the victim's car without her consent,” police said.
Police said a case of driving a motor vehicle without the owner's consent was opened and the man was arrested.
THE MERCURY