By Doreen Mokgolo
- Tow truck businesses say the show X-Repo is damaging their reputation and stealing vehicles from their yards.
- The United Towing Association says Xolani Maphanga breaks the law by repossessing cars without police or court orders.
Towing truck companies are demanding that controversial X-Repo presenter Xolani Maphanga stop targeting their businesses and “illegally” taking their vehicles.
A group of drivers and owners from Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga travelled to Moja Love’s offices in Sandton to hand over a memorandum of complaints to the channel’s management.
They say the TV show is ruining their businesses and their reputations, with customers now treating them like criminals.
The show, which airs on Moja Love, helps people retrieve their cars or belongings from dealerships and towing companies when they are allegedly being refused access.
But Ettienne Pel, chairperson of the United Towing Association of South Africa, said X-Repo is overstepping its role.
“He arrives at the dealerships with his entourage, bullies our members without police officers escorting them or a court order.
“He acts as if he is above the law. We don’t know who gave him the right to repossess cars from our dealerships without following proper channels.
“We have received complaints from our members about how the presenter uses illegal measures to enter their premises and take some of their cars,” he said.
Pel said they want Maphanga to stop immediately or they’ll take legal action.
One dealership owner said X-Repo has destroyed trust in the industry.
“Whenever we go to accident scenes, we are told not to touch the cars because people say we are crooks.
“Our businesses are struggling while theirs are booming at our expense. I’m now struggling to pay my employees.
“He breaks access into our businesses, even jumps walls,” he said.
Moja Love’s general manager Eketa Masuka accepted the memo and said the channel would respond within seven days.
Pictured above: Video pick-up image from the memorandum delivery.
Image source: Eketa Masuka
