A vehicle belonging to the cash-in-transit company, SBV Services, was caught on camera illegally parked across two disabled parking bays on Saturday November 16
The incident took place at approx. 08:30 at the Blue Haze shopping mall when a disabled driver visited the centre. The latter reported the incident to Hazyview traffic department and the Hazyview Herald.
The paper then contacted the bad driving report number which is clearly visible on the back of the SBV vehicle. We spoke to Tracey Harris of Driver Report, a national service through which the public can report drivers who flout traffic laws. This information is then fed back to the relevant companies and owners of the vehicles to address. The newspaper reported the incident and provided information on time, vehicle registration no, date etc. Harris confirmed that the vehicle belonged to SBV and supplied the newspaper with contact information for SBV Nelspruit.
The complaint and photo of the vehicle was discussed with Helen Hatting, centre administrator SBV. Shortly thereafter Hatting responded in an email stating that “Thank you for contacting us. I profusely apologise on the behalf of SBV for the inconvenience caused by this SBV driver. It is however unfortunate that there are no specifically allocated parking bays for our vehicles. As you can see these cash vans are much larger than the normal parking bay. I know this is no excuse for where this vehicle has parked and as stated I apologise to anyone who was affected by this. I can assure you that this is not the image that SBV Services likes to give and this matter will be taken seriously. I appreciate the feedback and do urge the public to please feel free to make use of the Drive Report number on the back of all the SBV vehicles when and if our drivers are not obeying the lawful rules of the roads. “
Approximately 40 minutes after the original statement from SBV Nelspruit the newspaper received another email communication from the said company. In this Hatting commented that “I have done further investigations with regards to the parking and the centre manager has given SBV approval to use these spaces when vacant for the deliveries”
Hayview Herald pursued the matter further with Freek Schnetler, centre manager Blue Haze Mall and requested his comment. “I have under no circumstances given any such permission since I have been centre manager here” says Schnetler. “I in cooperation with the traffic department planted removable poles to limit access to these bays other than disabled customers. SBV shows no respect for our property and parking areas. I have in my possession evidence of SBV simply bumping over these poles in order to park in the disabled areas. And yes, we did create designated loading zones for these vehicles which they ignore.”
Mr Gerhard van Aswegen, retail sales consultant SBV, responded to the comments by Schnetler and stated the following, “I would like to apologize if SBV has caused any inconvenience to anybody in this regard. I would also like to apologize to Mr. Schnetler for the SBV Van simply bumping over the poles and not showing respect for their property and parking I would like the public to understand that SBV vans park will park in front of a shop door in order to have the shortest route for the protection officer carrying cash. It is also a way in which to add protection to the public inside the store, should there be a shoot out. Our vehicles are a little bit bigger than the normal car and should they park between other cars and there is a robbery, it may result in damage to private cars.” concludes van Aswegen.
