Carguards Not So Innocent

Submitted by capdog on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 08:16

Life

Down at the beachfront on Saturday afternoon, and my brother locks his keys in his car. A major inconvenience? Cause for swearing and a hefty locksmith bill? Not at all. This is Africa, after all, and there was no reason to worry or even make a single phonecall.

My bro casually sauntered up to the carguard, and explained the situation in less than a sentence. With a broad grin and a skip in his step, the carguard darted behind a tree and fetched his jimmy.

One minute later the door was open. We thanked and tipped the grateful man, and moved on.

On the one hand he saved us at least an hour trying to either locate a spare key or break in ourselves. But on the other hand, one has to ask the question: what the fuck is the guy doing with such a device in the first place?

This carguard seemed to take no offense when we simply ASSUMED that he had the ability and tools to break into vehicles. It didn't seem to bother him that we just immediately took him for someone with criminal abilities.

For example: I would be pretty dumbstruck if someone assumed I was capable of electronic criminal acts simply because I work in IT. "Oh capdog, I forgot my Internet banking password, please hack into the ABSA server and get it back for me? There's a good lad. I'll pop you a five-buck tip." If someone said that to me, I wouldn't know whether to laugh or be highly offended.

But this guy did not really see any shame in what he did. Perhaps he keeps that jimmy around just as a service to offer to people, kinda on-the-side-like. And maybe he only uses his powers for good. I sure would like to think that.

Because the alternative, however horrible it is to speak of, is that we are at the complete and inescapable mercy of the crime syndicates, and that we come into contact with these people on a daily basis but just go on with our lives, unaware we are being sized up, targeted, assessed for the next big heist.

I think in future we will get the spare key, rather than give these guys any practice. At least then I can continue living in my happy friendly perfect-world little bubble.

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Subject:	neither are you
Author:	ethekwinigirl
Date:	12 September, 2007 - 09:32

So what are you larnies doing corrupting a down and out oke who works for small change and then despising him for it? I'm sure you gave him some bucks. I'm pretty dumbstruck, to use your own words that you didn't do the right and honest thing and phone a locksmith - surely you're insured - instead you further victimise someone who is already at the bottom of the food chain - and then you have the arrogance to post this story lamenting how corrupt the carguard is. Eish, this is certainly Africa...

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Subject:	Hehe...
Author:	hedmekanik
Date:	12 September, 2007 - 10:34

O's are just grifting a living, y'know. At least they're doing something positive rather than standing at the robots with a cardboard begging placard.
I mean, these cats have been through the wringer on the streets, hardly surprising they've learnt some skills. Popping a door with a slim jim is hardly rocket science - anyone can figure it out. Shit, even I can do it.

go here - http://hedmekania.blogspot.com/

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Subject:	ethekwinigirl> You're right,
Author:	capdog
Date:	12 September, 2007 - 11:44

ethekwinigirl> You're right, it is hypocritical to have accepted the help and then chastise him for it.

However, I don't think I'm being harsh here. There are no accusations of criminal intent against the man personally.

I'm just asking a few questions about carguards in general, and thinking about the incident in retrospect, and illustrating a "worst case scenario" for the sake of discussion.

I admit that I am not so innocent either, but that's not even a contended point... ;)

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Subject:	Was it a fiver?
Author:	Pied-a-terry (not verified)
Date:	4 December, 2007 - 12:34

Interesting discussion.

I think the question is actually, what the size of the tip was. If it was 10% of what a "pro" would have asked, than I think that the carguard should have been happy. Would 50% not have been a fairer compensation? I am sure that it was a fiver or tenner. In the first place, people should not have to use, possible corrupt, carguards.
I was a full time student in Durban in 2003. I had a typical student scadonc which was stolen in Durban. Never to be found again. The regular carguard was no where to be found the morning that it happened. Was he perhaps involved? He received a fiver every day for almost three months prior. He was on duty again the day afterwards. For the rest of the year I had to use public "unfriendly" transport and got along quite fine, for about a fiver a day. And on top of that, I did not occupy a parking space, didn’t have a car to service and wash and drive. No hassle, just a little bit uncomfortable.

By supporting the public transport, I also helped to create jobs, and may I say, better paying jobs than carguards I can imagine.

People should really examine and compare the cost of convenience to the cost of responsible citizenship.

Did I get my fiver's worth from the carguard, or did I get a better deal from the public transport?

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Subject:	Good points. I am so sick of
Author:	capdog
Date:	4 December, 2007 - 14:43

Good points. I am so sick of carguards that are actually just glorified beggars. My car was written off a while back, while parked outside the willowvale. Someone just totaled it with a truck and drove away.

Carguard shrugged his shoulders... "sorry" he said, but he didn't know who did it. And that was the end of that.

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Subject:	Bleat bleat!
Author:	Clauds
Date:	5 December, 2007 - 12:33

Yeah - unbelievable! I was told to park by a car guard on a certain section of this street in Cape Town (Long St - totally rammed)in the evening, and when I returned I had a nice fat parking ticket, however, dude still wanted cash even though he told me to park in this illegal spot - just the nerve that after literally getting me a parking fine he wanted me to pay him for it - whatever man, whatever!
A lot of them suck, and are pointless beyond belief. (I said a LOT, not all)

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