Ballito Junction car guards left in limbo

The extension of the Ballito Junction Regional Mall paid parking area has left 13 car guards without jobs.

In The Courier of June 23, mall management promised to help them find alternative employment, however by Monday morning car guard headman Mick Nyonga said no one had contacted them.

“We are very stressed. We have no jobs and we don’t know how we are going to support our families. Car guarding was the only way we could put bread on the table,” said Ayongo.

He said they used to earn betweent R80 to R200 a day and that was enough to get bread and 5kg maize meal for his family in Melville.

Ayonga is a father of six children and his entire family depends on him.

“We have all got kids and we really don’t know where to go because it is very difficult to find a job. My heart is broken, we will die of hunger,” said Ayongo.

Besides car guards losing employment, residents who spoke with The Courier also expressed dissatisfaction.

“I am very upset, the car guards were a huge help to the shoppers. I trusted them with my car and they were always friendly and helpful,” said Dale Drake. Brittany Daleman, who is at the mall on daily basis, said he is also unhappy that the guards had to go.

“When it is dark, I could walk to my car without worrying about safety, because I knew they were there to help if something wrong happens,” said Daleman.

Other shoppers expressed their worry as to who is going to help the elderly and disabled to load their groceries into their cars. Others said they felt their cars were much safer under the care of the guards, emphasising that they did not mind tipping the guards.

Ballito Junction CEO Geraldine Jorgensen said they have ensured a consistent high-level of security and management across all the mall’s parkades.

“We have also placed designated parking for customers with disabilities closest to our entrances on each shopping level in wider bays.

“The mall’s former car guards were contracted by CPA Security, and the security company has assured us that it will assist in finding alternate employment for the car guards.

Unfortunately, job replacement does take time. Nonetheless, with CPA Security, we will continue to make this a priority.”

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