Hillcrest car guard needs his job

HILLCREST car guard, Sipho Hlengwa, walks 10kms to and from work each day to stay away from crime and help his family where he can. What is making his life difficult is the notice that was put up in the post office for motorists to stop supporting car guards.

Hlengwa said he was introduced to the job by a family friend, who was also working as a car guard, in 2010 and has been doing it since.

Hlengwa and other car guards once had a meeting with Metro Police who told them the dos and don’ts of the job. The officers also told them that they will arrest them should anything illegal take place in that area, but that did not stop him from working.

“After this incident, some left, but I know I am doing nothing wrong that is why I have stuck it out till now,” he said.

The determined Embo resident said he resorted to sharing his story after seeing an article in the Highway Mail about the New Germany initiative of monitoring car guards and recording their details to reduce crime and make this job professional.

ALSO READ: New Germany car guards to be monitored

“I was amazed to see that this job is taken seriously by the authorities, that initiative is really great and gave me hope that it might be introduced in this area,” said Hlengwa.

The notice at the post office first read ‘all car guards should not be supported’, then it was changed and stated that car guards who are not wearing a security company’s uniform should not be supported.

“I sit outside the post office and do my job, I am not bothering anyone. I have been told by kind-hearted motorists, who still support me, that they should not be giving me any money.

This breaks my heart and is setting me back.

ALSO READ: Car guard to businessman 

“I am very dedicated to this job. I wake up everyday, despite the weather. At one point, a criminal pointed a gun at me because he wanted to steal a car and I wouldn’t let him. My life is also at risk and I would have to answer should anything happen.

“This job prevents me from getting into trouble. I have been on the wrong side of the law and I do not want to go back there. I am almost 30, I need to have a stable life,” he said.

Hlengwa lives with his mom and sibling and, seeing how his family struggles to survive, breaks his heart. One of the motorists said she thinks the decision was made because of those who loiter around that area. “If a person is making an honest living, I do not see why they should not be supported. Car guards are everywhere.”

SAPO communications officer, Nobuhle Njapha said the Hillcrest Post Office received complaints from beneficiaries regarding guards that stands on the street outside the Post Office, also those who sells and harass customers to buy.

“They not only harass but they drink as well, the matter has been reported to the local SAPS and have assisted us in numerous occasions. The SA Post Office cares for its customers and the elderly, to ensure their safety we had to put us a sign to avoid them being harassed,” she said.

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