A parking lot at a shopping complex on Ayliff Street is one of the places where men work on vehicles.
According to one business owner in the area who spoke out, these men approach customers to persuade them to use them instead of the registered mechanical workshops.
“They also approach customers wanting to buy the parts they need for the repairs in a bid to force these motorists to use them instead of us.
“This is having negative effects on our businesses and our income revenue. It also makes our clientele feel uncomfortable and unsafe, resulting in them not wanting to come to our premises as they fear they will be harassed by these so-called mechanics,” explained one business owner.
He added that he had personally reported the matter to the municipality on several occasions. At one stage community safety sent officers out to remove the ‘parking lot mechanics’ only for them to return a few hours later.
The businessman claimed that the same men had been illegally occupying an empty building on Ayliff Street, which had also been reported to authorities. However, no one had removed them.
“We are truly fed up and need the municipality and all relevant stakeholders to step in and deal with this issue before it becomes even worse,” he concluded.
What do the bylaws say?
According to the Newcastle bylaws, regarding motor vehicles: No persons may in a public place—(a) was or clean any motor vehicle, except in an area authorised by the municipality for that purpose; or (b) effect any repairs to a motor vehicle except where repairs are necessary for removing such motor vehicle from the place where it was involved in an accident or had a breakdown.
Powers of Authorised Officials: (2) A duly authorised official may, in respect of a nuisance caused or alleged to be caused in a public place, instruct a person to cease an act or conduct which causes such nuisance with immediate effect. (3) If it appears to the authorised official that the offending person can’t comply with his or her instructions forthwith, the enforcement officer must issue a warning notice in the form prescribed by the municipality instructing the offending person to cease an act or conduct causing nuisance within a reasonable time period.
Penalties: Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this bylaw or with any direction, decision, demand determination requirement, term, or request thereunder shall be guilty of an offence: (1) In the case of a continuing offence, shall be liable to a fine of an amount not exceeding R2500 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days. (2) Any person who is convicted of an offence under this bylaw is liable to a fine of an amount not exceeding R24 000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both such fine and imprisonment.”
The Newcastle Advertiser reached out to the municipality by sending an official media inquiry on July 25. However, despite numerous follow-up requests, no official statement had been provided at the time of going to print.
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