The City of Mbombela’s (CoM) by-laws clearly state that undesignated areas may not be used as vehicle service centres.

Despite this, mechanics continue to service vehicles along many roadsides.

Stinkhout Crescent has now also become one of the streets where cars are being serviced on the side of the road, just as on Bester Street and the Old Pretoria Road, to name a few.

The business owners in Stinkhout Crescent are calling on the CoM to intervene, as by-laws to address this matter do in fact exist, and there are designated premises for undertaking vehicle panel beating, repairs and services.

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They also said they are paying the CoM for services, and that it is the duty of the municipality to ensure adherence to its environmental policies. They claim the mechanics leave a mess on the roads and pavements, including spilt oil. They said this is also causing a traffic build-up of delivery trucks in the area, and they urged the CoM to enforce its by-laws and to deal with this unacceptable situation.

Meanwhile, one of these mechanics told Lowvelder he was repairing vehicles on the roadside because he cannot afford to rent workshops. “I choose to work along the streets. They are closer to the vehicle spares shops and I do not waste time by travelling to shops for parts. I am charging our customers a small amount of money just to make a living. I am aware that we are not allowed to do what I am doing,” he said.

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Another mechanic said: “Stinkhout Crescent its a very quiet street with no visibility of the municipal by-laws officers. Even the traffic officers do not come this side. I don’t see anything wrong with what I am doing on the roadside. I am not stealing or damaging anyone’s property, but am trying to make a living. I know the CoM by-law officers will confiscate my tools and give me a fine if they find me fixing cars here, but I will not stop.”

The CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, said he was not aware of such problems, but promised to enquire about this at the municipal by-law department in question and revert back to Lowvelder. However, by the time of going to press, he was still awaiting response from the relevant department.