Barely two months into the Kwadukuza municipality’s new pay parking system, marshals went on strike this week following a pay dispute.
Marshals took to the street outside the KwaDukuza municipal (KDM) office in a protest against the contracted pay parking service provider, Vusa Isipho Trading Enterprise.
KDM media liaison officer Sipho Mkhize said about 16 disgruntled marshals were striking over a renegotiation of their employment terms, uniforms and lunch break.
“The marshals are asking that mayor Ricardo Mthembu look into the matter and intervene with their employer.”
Over 50 marshals had been employed by the service provider to monitor the pay parking system which was implemented in Stanger CBD, Umhlali and Ballito last November.
The system introduced a charge of R6 an hour for parking in public bays.
After public outcry mostly about the lack of public participation and a blanket approach that would negatively affect some businesses, mayor Mthembu said last December that the municipality would relook at the system and renegotiate the terms of their contact with the service provider.
A committee made up of the Dolphin Coast Rate Payers and Residents Association (DOCCRA), the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism as well as business owners and community members was formed last year.
Despite the promised rethink, the scheme had been applied in all areas through the December period. Although many Ballito residents boycotted the system by refusing to pay, holidaymakers paid without question.
Since the high season ended, the marshals have not been seen in Ballito or Umhlali.
DOCCRA chairperson Ken Lever said that it was discussed in one of the committee meetings that Ballito and Umhlali should be exempt from pay parking and that the municipal officials seemed to agree.
“I will only believe it when I see it in writing but it looks like it may be true.”
A meeting between the marshals, KDM and Vusa Isipho Trading Enterprise was held on Tuesday.
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