Parking marshals have intervened in several incidents in the past month involving thieves breaking into vehicles in the Central City. Street Parking Solutions (SPS) employs these marshals to manage on-street parking in the CBD on behalf of the City of Cape Town.
Says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, Councillor Brett Herron: “It is no easy job being a parking marshal in Cape Town. These men and women have to endure abuse from motorists who refuse to pay for parking on a daily basis. Some take out their frustration on the marshals who are simply doing what they are paid to do: to collect parking fees. Given the difficult work environment, I want to commend them for not hesitating to intervene on several occasions when thieves broke into vehicles parked in the CBD.”
The most recent incident took place on 18 October: Marshal Buhle Gorati noticed a thief breaking into a vehicle parked in Darling Street.
“The thief managed to get away with a bicycle, but not for long. Buhle chased after him and got hold of the bicycle, which was safely returned to the owner later the same day,” says Councillor Herron.
Marshals Kino Bush and Mandla Rotya intervened in two separate incidents a week earlier. The first occurred in Plein Street and the other in Adderley Street. In both cases, thieves used remote jamming devices to get their hands onto unsuspecting motorists’ property.
Councillor Herron says: “Kino and Mandla informed the Cape Town Central City Improvement District [CCID] of the suspicious activities, thereby foiling the suspects’ plans. Once again, the marshals got involved, demonstrating their commitment and dedication.”
Says Mo Hendricks, Safety & Security manager at the CCID: “Theft out of motor vehicles is one of the most common crimes the CCID deals with. Thankfully, the community spirit in the CBD, demonstrated by these parking marshals, has created a safety net that helps us do our work effectively. This is what makes Cape Town CBD so successful."
On 29 September, the SPS zone manager, Joseph Lukale, went to great lengths to return a wallet to a resident who dropped it in the CBD.
“He found the resident’s AA emergency card, phoned the AA and the AA eventually got hold of the man, informing him that Joseph had his wallet,” says Councillor Herron. “I am extremely proud of these marshals, and the many others we have not mentioned here, for doing their part in preventing crime and providing a superb service to our residents.
"It is through selfless actions and good deeds that we can build a caring society where we look out for one another. Motorists must please keep in mind that the SPS parking marshals are also our eyes and ears on the ground. They are making an important contribution and deserve our respect."
Says Hendricks: “There are several partnerships in the CBD created between stakeholders with one common purpose: to safeguard the area. Members from different agencies become our eyes and ears, and report suspicious behaviour to the CCID for immediate investigation and reaction. The message is clear: if you intend to commit crime in Cape Town CBD, everyone is watching and you will be caught.”
All SPS parking marshals wear a name badge and an orange bib, indicating that they are an official parking marshal employed by Street Parking Solutions.