Fifth Street bombarded with tickets
People working in Fifth Street, Springs CBD received a shock last Tuesday afternoon when EMPD officials started handing out tickets.
Peter Miller, who has a business in this street was astounded when they saw EMPD officials writing tickets for almost every car on the street.
“They just came and cleaned up the street because the cars then left to park elsewhere,” he says.
Nicholas McKenzie was one of the people who received a ticket for his parked car.
“When I tried talking to him he, said I didn’t adhere to the street signs, but there weren’t any,” says McKenzie.
According to them, they weren’t parked on yellow lines and there were no street signs prohibiting them from parking there.
Wilfred Kgasago, spokesman for the EMPD says according to the acting Precinct Commander, only vehicles committing offences were issued with fines.
“Those fined were found to be parked in the no-stopping zone which has both signs and markings,” he says.
The second group of offenders ticketed were those parked in the loading zone with the last group being those who illegally used the parking bays for disabled drivers.
“The contention that there are no markings and signs is something that my office will verify soon,” he adds.
In the interim, the complainants can lodge complaints with the Senior Public Prosecutor or see the Precinct Commander of Springs.
“What the business owners, residents and employees should take into cognisance is that the fact that a parking bay is opposite one’s business does not give one the right to park park his/her vehicle there the whole day, preventing other motorists access to that parking bay.”
Kgasago adds that parking bays along Fifth Street are not for the exclusive use of employees and business people and that parking bays for the disabled are only for the exclusive use of those who are physically challenged.
Investigations will be conducted to find out whether there are markings and signs at the location in question or whether the markings have faded or the signs are not conspicuous enough.
“In the meantime, motorists must understand that their rights are respected but in the same vein, they must take care of their responsibilities,” Kgasago concludes.
