An angry taxi driver is hunting for a gaatjie who drove away with his van and left him stranded on Monday.
Ashley van Vrede, 40, from Voorburg, Delft, got out at Airport Mall to buy takeaways and returned to find his taxi gone.
Witnesses told him the gaatjie, Nathan Pers, 42, had driven off with it.
Ashley says he tried to get hold of Nathan, who doesn’t have a driving licence, but his phone was off.
The driver says he is disappointed as he had trusted the sliding door operator, who he has known for years.
“He’s not a stranger, I’ve known him for a long time and we never really had issues in the four months that we worked together,” says Ashley.
“He handled the money, looked after the taxi and never gave me any reason to not trust him.
“Look, I was not even quick to open a case with the police because I still believed he had a good reason and would come back and explain, but until now there’s nothing.
“His phone has been off since that moment. The only lead I had is that he travelled to Beaufort West and was seen at Laingsburg and later dropped his baby mama on N2 near Philippi yesterday morning.
“The lady had no phone, I can’t get hold of her and there’s no further leads.
“I am worried because the taxi isn’t mine. This is emotionally and financially draining for me, worrying about what could happen to the taxi and the fact that I am losing my wages.
“That taxi is my bread and butter, I have six kids to feed and need to get stationery for them.
“I appeal to anyone who might have information about his whereabouts or the taxi to inform me or the police.”
He says the van is a normal white Toyota Quantum with a 05 sticker in front and an orange sticker at the back. It had custom rims.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirms: “The taxi driver of a white Quantum stopped at a shopping mall in Belhar to use the facilities and he left the key in the vehicle and also the sliding door operator.
“When the driver came back, he was informed that the sliding door operator drove off with the taxi.
“Until today, the operator didn’t return with the vehicle.
“A case of theft of motor vehicle was registered at Belhar SAPS.”
Nathan’s phone was on voicemail at the time of going to print.
Ashley can be reached on 083 482 8877.
nomzamo.yuku@inl.co.za