In a renewed bid to clamp down on illegal car guards operating in the Hermanus CBD, Overstrand Municipality equipped 27 registered and ‘official’ car guards with identical and easily identifiable uniforms.
The new uniforms consist of a blue overall jacket and pants, a blue bib and a cap. The guards have also been issued with identity cards bearing their names, and photos which must be displayed on their bibs during the execution of their duties. A number (from 1 – 27), printed in black, marks the allocated spot the specific car guard will cover.
The car guards are not officially employed by the Municipality, but their work is formalised, with a code of conduct, to upskill them and they will be monitored closely to ensure they are sober and presentable.
Hopefully now that they are registered and ‘official’, it will be easier to regulate them and know exactly who is working where.
If any of them step out of line, there will be a disciplinary hearing, and it may result in the cancelation of their permits.
For the immediate future, and until they come forward with a plan, no informal car washing is allowed.
Operating times for the car guards will be between ± 08:00 to 23:00 seven days a week.
The car guards will cover the following parking areas: Gearing’s Point, Sharklady, Clicks, Market Square and red stalls, FNB parking, Swallow Park, Church Plain, Harbour Road, Bientang’s Cave, The Marine Hotel, Rossi’s, behind Jet and two spots/places in Onrus.
As a word of encouragement, Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, said she received a lot of complaints and residents insisting they should be removed from the streets. “We said no, we are not going to take you off the streets; we must rather find a balance by giving you training and a uniform so that you can get an income and look after your family”.
The Mayor did not beat around the bush when she told the car guards that they are now part of a team and representing the Municipality – “how good you are, will determine if we will continue with the program.”
“Let us support those who are making an effort to be presentable, polite and properly qualified to look after vehicles, so that we can eliminate those who tend to be more of a nuisance than helpful,” Mayor Rabie said.
Should members of the public encounter persons other than the stated car guards, or if there are any complaints or queries relating to the programme, they can contact Law Enforcement on 028 313 8996 or 028 313 8980 to inform of same. Alternatively send an email to grantgillion@overstrand.gov.za with the location or address, time of incident and any other information that might be useful to solve the problem.
