I wish to bring to your attention a true incident I experienced with Shogun Koi Food in December 2009.
The truck arrived with my 5 tons of Shogun for December and parked in the street. It was too large to come up the drive way and stop near the storage facilities. So I used my car to transport the bulk bags from the truck to the store room.
After the first trip I went back down the drive way and as I approached the end of it I saw a white car without number plates pull up behind the transport truck. Out of the car jumped three gentlemen and a lady dressed in jeans, takkies and floppy hats. One had an automatic R5 slung over his left shoulder. I got the fright of my life – I thought hellooo these b@#$%^ds are hijacking my December Shogun koi food.
They were unaware of me a few meters behind them protruding slightly from the drive way. I phoned 10111. They answered immediately. I identified myself and my position. I told the operator to hang on as I was going to challenge these guys. He started to shout something about I must remain where I am as help was on the way.
I approached the guy with the automatic weapon and placed my hand firmly on his left shoulder where the weapon was slung. He was much shorter than me and jumped out of his skin as I felt his body jerk – but I had him by the shoulder.
“Can I help you – what’s the problem here” I said. Why are you carrying an automatic weapon with a second magazine taped to it I asked. My concern was that these guys were going to walk away with my December koi food. Really I am not joking that’s what went through my mind.
He quickly replied that they was the police. I immediately asked for his identification card. They produced this. I let go his shoulder.
At this point in time the operator was still screaming into the phone. I told him everything was OK as these guys were the police – but I said what the hang was going on as they are dressed like gangsters!
A marked police car drew up and out jumped a uniformed police captain holding a radio. I asked him what was going on. He said they had received a complaint from a neighbour that a truck was in the road and stolen goods or contra ban or dagga was being unloaded.
As we were talking a second white unmarked car – with no number plates - arrived with four gentlemen. Brand new car with tyres screeching as they stopped behind us. So I had the attention of 9 SAPS officers for the delivery truck of Shogun Koi Food!
I said to the uniformed officer that they were welcome to contact the complainant and ask him or her to come and see for him or herself what was going on. He did this but the complainant said he was watching us and declined to be further involved. I scanned the fences but could not see the person. Talk about suburbia Spy vs Spy!
I explained to the police that there was nothing to worry about as it was fish food. They were sceptical as they suspected it was 250 bags of dagga. I asked them to choose a random bag and I would open it for them. I also invited them in to see the packing facilities and storage. Also to see what I was doing. The first and second unmarked cars declined but the uniformed captain said yes he wanted to see.
So I walked him around the property and we stood at the koi pond for a few minutes.
He radioed to the control room that the complaint was a waste of time and man power. But I complimented them on reacting quickly and actually taking an interest in the suburb.
To customers who have bought Shogun recently – if you have koi that are swimming slowly above the water alternatively talking to or hugging the plants at the edge of the pond – there is nothing to worry about. These symptoms will soon pass and everything will be back to normal.
Never a dull moment in the koi food industry. Real character building stuff.
Kind regards,
Chris Neaves