In a shocking incident that has left Darrel Shanmugam reeling, a recent visit to a VW dealership in Durban for routine dashboard repairs turned into a nightmare when his brand-new R1 million Amarok was stolen directly from the premises.
Shanmugam, 32, a Transportation Manager from Phoenix, had taken his prized VW Amarok Aventura 3.0 TDI to the Edwin Swales branch of Barons VW on September 20, 2024, barely a month after purchasing it. After weeks without updates, he decided to visit the dealership unannounced on October 28, only to leave devastated and without his vehicle.
“I was told my vehicle wasn’t ready because it still needed a new battery. They promised to call me once it was done,” Shanmugam explained. Initially planning to wait, he was advised to leave, as the staff claimed they were still tied up with other repairs. Hours later, he got a call to pick up the Amarok—but this was far from a standard pickup.
Arriving back at the dealership after 3 p.m., he was told his vehicle was in the wash bay. “After waiting 45 minutes, I was told it had been stolen,” Shanmugam recounted, his voice filled with disbelief.
Security footage showed two men entering the dealership, walking past both the service department and a security guard, before heading straight to Shanmugam’s van. The footage revealed a shocking lapse in security: the keys were still in the ignition, enabling the men to drive away without interference. Shanmugam couldn’t shake his suspicion. “These were strangers, yet they knew exactly where my car was. This was in broad daylight,” he said, convinced of an inside job. “How did they know my car was ready?”
When Shanmugam sought support from the dealership, including a courtesy car, he was initially reassured but soon met with resistance. “The manager initially agreed to assist, even offering a courtesy car,” he said. However, when he returned the next day, he was handed a letter absolving the dealership of responsibility and denying him a courtesy vehicle. “They were cold, dismissive, and showed no empathy. I left that dealership shattered.”
A letter from NMI Insurance, signed by Insurance and Claims Manager Charl Greef, confirmed the dealership was aware that the vehicle lacked a tracking device, rendering any recovery effort nearly impossible. “Barons confirmed that the vehicle had no registration plates and no tracking device at the time of theft,” the letter read.
Shanmugam tried to obtain CCTV footage to share publicly, hoping social media might assist in locating his stolen Amarok. However, the dealership refused, citing company policy. In a recorded phone call, Shanmugam asked the manager, Iqbal, for access to the footage. “I’m sorry, I won’t be able to give it to you because it’s our company property,” Iqbal replied. Shanmugam, desperate, asked, “So you’re refusing me footage of people stealing my vehicle?” The manager’s response was a blunt, “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t.”
Since then, Shanmugam has hired a lawyer, but attempts to obtain the footage have been ignored, adding to his frustration. The ordeal has taken a severe toll on him, both personally and professionally. “It’s been incredibly difficult. I can’t sleep; I can’t function. I’m devastated, especially by how VW has distanced itself from this situation, even though the vehicle was stolen on their premises.”
When contacted by IOL, VW Barons redirected inquiries to Peter Smith at NMI Insurance. Attempts to reach Smith for comment were unsuccessful, with calls routed to a receptionist but going unanswered. VW’s Media and Public Relations Manager, Tebogo Losaba, confirmed an investigation is underway but, as of publication, no formal response had been provided by VW or NMI Insurance.
For Shanmugam, the trauma remains raw, and the unresolved matter casts a shadow over his once-treasured vehicle. “To think I entrusted my vehicle to the dealership, only for it to vanish under their watch—it’s heartbreaking,” he said. For now, he awaits answers, accountability, and, perhaps, the slim hope of recovering his stolen Amarok.
