Judgment not communicated

I AM writing this letter to share my utter frustration with the law system here in this country. I have been left stranded with no transport and part of my furniture gone.

In October 2012 I was involved in a collision with a motor vehicle parked in Target Kloof. I was convinced the car was illegally parked.

Being the guilty party, I landed up in the small claims court in June last year. The clerk of the court was going to phone me about the verdict.

Surely they can give me in writing the outcome of the case. In mid-November I had a visit from the sheriff of the court during my absence to write down particulars of items, of my furniture and my Ford Bantam bakkie, which was parked on the front lawn.

That same day I went to the clerk of the court's office, where they could not produce my judgment and I was referred to Legal Aid. When I was away in the beginning of December, the sheriff came to attach my goods, including my bakkie.

After a couple of attempts from Legal Aid to contact the complainant's attorney as I offered increased monthly payments, I was told they were closing the files. As the case is not a litigious matter, I must now personally contact the offices of the complainant's attorney. After trying to contact her and e-mailing I have not had any reply.

What I don't understand is that the sheriff can just break in, go through drawers, take keys and cart your possessions off. They don't even give a person a chance to make financial arrangements.

I now find myself at 65 without a car, which I need to do little odd jobs to supplement my old age pension!

Pieter Looise, Port Elizabeth