I went to the SASSA offices in Pinetown, parked my vehicle in the demarcated parking bays and proceeded to the offices.
Upon my return I found a parking ticket for R100 for failing to affix a coupon.
On careful examination of the surrounding area, I found absolutely nothing to indicate the requirement for a coupon or the display of a coupon.
None of the bays are marked or numbered and there are no signs to indicate the requirement for payment.
I could understand incurring a fine if there was a transgression of any stipulated legal requirement, but any law abiding citizen following all the rules of the road and obeying all signage would fall foul of this ticketing practice.
Why is there no signage to alert people to the requirement? Why are there no numbers or indications placed upon the curb? Is it a fair and just practice to fine people in the absence of the required signage?
Failure to provide adequate signage should not be a reason for fining the general public.
I believe this ticketing practice constitutes an injustice and could be deemed to be exploitative.
While I will be going to the relevant Metro department with my submission, I strongly believe it is a matter of public interest. I am therefore sending this out as a warning to the general public.
Jeremy Smith
Pinetown
Melanie Brauteseth, Ward 18 councillor, responds:
I have contacted Metro to investigate the matter regarding the signage and will also get hold of the ETA to make sure the correct signage is here. People also need to take responsibility for their parking People know that if they don’t pay for their parking they will get a fine. I will be following up to make sure the correct signage is available.
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