To tip or not to tip Amanzimtoti car guards?
Car guards rely solely on tips for income, but some in Amanzimtoti claim they have to pay to remain employed.
CAR guarding can be an unpredictable source of income as it relies entirely on the goodwill of motorists.
Also read: Amanzimtoti car guards rounded up
When tips are scarce, guards often find themselves without any earnings. This situation has led to complaints from many in the business about their working conditions. In response, some have established car-guarding companies that offer services at shopping centres and other urban areas.
There have been attempts by the government to regulate the car-guarding industry by affiliating it with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), but it has not been followed through. An affiliation to PSIRA would have meant car guards are properly trained and they offer real protection when guarding cars.
One of the enterprising individuals who started a car-guarding business is Joy Alberts, whose company plies its services at some shopping centres around Amanzimtoti. Some guards who work under her, however, have complained about working conditions and how they are required to pay her R60 daily from their tips to remain employed.
The car guards asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs. Alberts, however, denied the claims and said she was being unfairly targeted.
“That amount is not true, and why am I (being) targeted? All centres have parking attendants. SPAR, Pick ‘n Pay and Arbour Crossing – they all pay,” she said. Alberts would not confirm how much the guards paid her.
Steve* said that each car guard has to pay this amount whether they receive any tips or not.
“If you don’t pay that R60 from your takings, you are not allowed to work and your spot can be taken by a person who is paid,” he said.
He complained that not all motorists tip, which is what makes it difficult to accumulate the R60, plus money to live on. Another car guard, who works at the same mall as Steve, backed up his claims, saying that while no one should be forced to tip guards, if they knew the conditions under which they worked, they would open their wallets more.
Asked whether the money she collects from car guards is handed over to the mall, Alberts said she keeps the money.
Afsana Ismail of DSM Mall’s marketing department said that while the centre does not have an agreement with the people guarding cars on its property, all attendants are vetted for security reasons.
A car guard, who is not affiliated with Alberts, said that where he works at Winklespruit Beach, business is mostly bad. Sbonelo Sabela said if he could get a proper job, he would leave car guarding.
“There are days I go home empty-handed. Some motorists tell me they won’t tip because I’ll use the money to buy drugs and alcohol, but I only smoke cigarettes,” said Sbonelo.
*Not his real name.
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