Several companies have announced a mass auction of a number of goods, mostly motor vehicles, that have gone uncollected for weeks.
In a gazette notice dated August 1, the companies, which include auctioneers and a motor vehicle garage, announced the items would be auctioned within 30 days if the owners failed to collect them.
All the auctions were pursued under the provisions of the disposal of Uncollected Goods Act (Cap. 38), which allows for entities to dispose of goods left uncollected after a reasonable period.
One of the auctioneers, an auto garage company, announced that several cars, including a Nissan Note, Ford Raptor and Nissan Navara, came in for repairs but remained uncollected.
While the owners were urged to collect their property within 30 days, the garage warned that collection would only be allowed if the owners cleared their unpaid dues.
“Failure to collect the said goods within the given notice shall lead to the said goods being disposed of or sold to recover repair and storage costs. This is a final reminder, and no further claims shall be entertained for recovery of goods,” part of the gazette notice.
In a separate announcement, an auctioneer announced plans to dispose of several high-end vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz, that were being held at Jogoo Road Garage and would be auctioned in 30 days if no action was taken by the owners.
Another auctioneer announced the upcoming auction of dozens of motorcycles and scooters that had been impounded at Lungalunga Police Station. Owners were urged to collect their property within 14 days from July 22, when the notice was gazetted.
For all collections, owners were notified that payment was required for repair costs, accumulated storage charges, interest, publication costs, and any other incidental costs.
Uncollected vehicles in garages and police stations have become a familiar sight in recent months, with owners resorting to leaving their property for varying reasons. On most occasions, vehicles are left uncollected in garages after impoundment by police following an accident.
On some occasions, owners are unable to afford the repairs, towing fees, or insurance premiums, prompting the vehicle to stay for extended periods in garages or police stations.
In extreme cases, owners decide to abandon the vehicles altogether, especially if the cost of retrieving the vehicle or motorcycle exceeds the logistics of acquiring a new one.
