On Tuesday April 4, I dropped off my usual weekly ECO at Tramway Road depot and headed back to go into Sea Point mainstream.
Downward is a one-way, then only a Left Turn sign which I duly do and did.
Usually unless going further down SP, I was about to turn right into the Queens Street circle, when the driver in front of me suddenly also turned into the roundabout with no advance indication. I was already halfway into the circle, so not wanting to block the upcoming / incoming road at that point, I was force to edge to the left of the driver ahead already into the circle to avoid blocking the traffic flow - my indicating flasher going all the time. Cars ahead moved on and I circled to continue back down Regent Road.
While slowly driving behind the immediate traffic ahead, at the BP Garage slipways, a uniformed parking attendant walking in the middle of the road taps my car while I’m driving? I was stunned and could suddenly stop - opened my window and this tall woman shows me her machine and says I drove off from the parking without paying R4.80? In a split second I shouted while moving I wasn’t parked anywhere - she replies okay you’ll receive this fine. I was so mad as I had just started my shop that morning at exactly 11.58am.
So whomever was on duty that day at that time was the woman in question. I would say facts before unclear observation, maybe eye tests as well. Who trains these attendants both male and female.
Usually one is accosted as you’re still getting out of your car. Stock reply just popping into the chemist and yes to sort monies when I return - obviously given the timeframe of course. Then you come back and nobody near to be seen, a stub on you windscreen wiper, and on a few occasions forced to drive off even while looking for that very person? What is the ruling here - I’m sure I’m not alone in this daily dilemma.
I then noted a traffic block at St John’s intersection with a traffic car. I parked in WW and walked across the road to speak to the officer in the car. I explained what had just transpired and who to contact, etc. It appears this is an “outsourced company” who “assists the local Traffic Deptartment” in this instance.
I looked up what I noted on the back of the uniform on their website: Street Parking Solutions 074 479 6585.
I called and a young lady answered. I simply asked if I had the correct business place and who I could discuss a problem with a parking attendant earlier - her reply was me. I naturally asked to whom I was speaking and with whom to discuss the issue and she replied me and simply put the phone down. I immediately called again and there was a just a voice message. Total dead end, no call-back nothing.
This again raises suspicions if this could be done “individually” on purpose, to create fines for just driving off when attendant cannot be found? Do they get a commission for each and every transaction regardless?
This very same point has often been discussed among friends and other drivers who have experienced similar problems.
Mine beats all for “parking” (having not even parked) and tried paying/fining “mid-stream” while driving in traffic - surely a first.
I had better not receive said fine on my vehicle registration for Tuesday April 4 at 11.58am.
Trust the company will respond for all diligent honest law abiding drivers?
We thank the resident for bringing the matter to our attention.
It should be noted that a parking marshal cannot impose a fine. They can only record an unpaid parking event to a vehicle registration, which can lead to future clamping and a fine by law enforcement. If there was no parking event there can be no fine.
The marshals are trained by Street Parking Solutions (SPS), the company appointed to manage kerbside parking. SPS are not traffic/law-enforcement officers and cannot issue parking fines. This duty rests solely with the relevant authority, namely the City of Cape Town.
This may have been a case of mistaken identity where the marshal was confused by the same/similar vehicle. We can and will gladly do further investigation if the resident can provide the City with the registration number of the vehicle.
All motorists using on-street parking bays where the City charges a parking tariff are required to pay upfront for the use of the bay as some motorists tend to avoid paying afterwards. Should the motorist overstay the time that was paid for upfront, then he/she will be required to pay the balance upon return to their vehicle.
We urge the public to please in future always send queries to the Transport Information Centre(TIC) whose contact details are on the parking receipts. The TIC, available at 0800 65 64 63 is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week call centre service that provides residents of and visitors to Cape Town with information on public transport in Cape Town.
All complaints reported to the TIC are investigated and feedback is provided to the complainant.