MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – In a fairy tale a coach can change into a pumpkin at midnight, but it becomes a tale of sheer horror when your 4x4 diesel bakkie suddenly turns into a stolen beetle sedan at an international border post.

This weird metamorphosis took place on the police computers at the Pafuri border gate, when Mrs Modjadji Stam of Welgevonden, Louis Trichardt, passed through on a visit to Mozambique. The results of the SAPS electronic security check on her 1996 white Isuzu 4x4 diesel bakkie with registration number DDC 808 N, on 21 May, showed that officially the vehicle was “in fact” a yellow petrol- powered 1975 model Volkswagen beetle sedan, with registration number NPN 72049, stolen from its owner in Escombe, Queensburgh, Natal in 1995!

She was informed that her vehicle would be impounded, pending further investigation.

Although the original registration and latest licence certificate which she presented to the border police corresponded perfectly with the details appearing on the computer during the registration number search, border control is apparently not allowed to use a registration number search to verify ownership of a vehicle. Only engine and chassis number searches are valid, she was informed. The physical check revealed that the stolen beetle and her lawful 4x4 had identical engine numbers, but different chassis numbers. This, however, did not solve any problem.

“The vehicle theft unit at Thohoyandou was then called in and after four hours had still not arrived. When I spoke to Superintendent Erasmus in Polokwane, I explained the scenario saying that I would report to Makhado on Monday morning with my vehicle. An inspector Shivambu told him that they know me and always see me around Elim. Only then – five and a half hours later – was I allowed to pass through the border. On return, after an hour or two, I was informed that the Thohoyandou unit had come, were furious that I had in the meantime gone through, and had promptly left again for Thohoyandou.”

Mrs Stam says that since she bought the vehicle in 1996, she has done at least 30 border crossings.

“How is it possible that only now have the authorities discovered that the white 4x4 bakkie is actually a yellow beetle?”

She says several other questions also remain unanswered about the way the central data base can be accessed and modified, even over a weekend.

Eventually, after a long “uphill battle” to get her own vehicle registered in her own name again, Mrs Stam was able to claim her bakkie as her own. Although still upset, she says with a hint of a smile: “First there were the faceless many who claim my farm/identity. Then came the faceless person who literally stole my identity documents and all by steeling my handbag from my bakkie. Now faceless others are apparently trying to steal my bakkie’s identity.”

“Come on guys, I know you have to do your work, but try using some common sense next time,” she concluded.