All attendees voted in favour of the campaign for free parking in Johannesburg

Parkhurst and neighbouring representative residents and business owners attended an urgent public meeting on 1 March to discuss, amongst other things, the paid kerbside parking scheme restarted by the City of Joburg on the same day. 100% of attendees voted in favour of  ‘The Concerned World Class African Citizens” campaign for free parking in Johannesburg suburbs and gave Cllr Tim Truck a mandate to pursue the matter in council and beyond.

Attorney Mervin Smith introduced various avenues being pursued by the campaign.  A letter is being sent to the City in terms of the Access to Information Act requesting copies of all pertinent documents, including the full contract, the tender documents, etc.  Simultaneously a Letter of Demand is being sent to the City requesting that the implementation of the scheme again be delayed pending the provision of the requested documents.  At this stage the civic response group is making every effort to avoid full legal action.  Two further routes open to the group are to approach the Public Protector and making use of the City’s Petitions Committee.It was suggested from the floor that all visitors to 4th Avenue should avoid paying by merely parking beyond the marked bays should the Ace Parking marshals continue to be deployed. Cheryl Labuschagne, chairperson of Parkhurst Village, encouraged visitors to remain cordial in the event of being approached and to record any disagreeable behaviour from the marshals. The Association will pursue complaints from all residents, business owners and visitors.

The City’s implementation of a paid parking system is planned for 21 areas across the city, many of which are areas similar to Parkhurst.  A great deal of support has already been received from neighbouring suburbs and the movement to put an end to the system is growing rapidly.