Car guards plead for formalisation and JMPD’s help

Talking to the casual car guards in front of the Roodepoort Licensing Department on Wednesday 5 February revealed much more than the journalist had bargained for.

The Record’s intention was to confirm with them that they were not officially employed by anyone, to scout how many car guards worked on the tiny parking lot on the premises and to take some photos. The information obtained, however, revealed problems with much deeper roots than the recent complaints about the car guards intimidating residents as they leave the premises. The Record spoke to Jack*, Fabulous* and John*.

At first, all three professed that they were the official car guards on the lot. Later, Fabulous said that often he was busy with ID photos more than with guarding the cars and that he only got involved with it “to make sure nothing goes wrong on my side of the lot”. It was ascertained that the lot was split in two – the “real” car guards and the “people that know nothing” who work directly in front of the department’s gate.

Jack told the Record that about 30 car guards worked in the parking lot on and off where maybe 50 vehicles can be accommodated. The hardworking guards can make anything between R50 and R60 a day, with Fabulous making around R200 a day because of his involvement with the ID photos (ID photos cost between R50 and R60 per client). All three revealed that they have been working there between six and 11 years.

Fabulous understood immediately why the journalist was interviewing them – he explained that he knew that people were speculating and making allegations against the department, saying that there’s corruption, intimidation and drug use on the lot.

“I know what people are crying about, I also read the newspaper [sic].

“I know that people fear that their vehicles will be stolen from, because that happens here.

“People blame the responsible car guards when these other morons actually cause the problems,” he explained, pointing out that the “other” car guards are irregular, new and spend their days taking drugs.

“You’ll often find them smoking nyope right here on the lot [sic].”

Despite the JMPD refusing responsibility for these casual, self-appointed car guards, Fabulous said that he had been pleading with JMPD officers to get rid of the bad seeds.

“I always call the metro [sic].”

The three men feel that, should their working conditions be formalised, the situation will improve.

Meanwhile JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar advised residents with complaints to open cases of intimidation and harassment against such car guards at their nearest police stations.