Traffic officers were apparently on the wrong side of the law last Friday, when it was reported their vehicle was parked in a parking bay for the disabled at Scott Street Mall.
The vehicle was subsequently clamped by Mall Centre Security.
According to Centre Manager, Francois Panther, the traffic officers had parked in a disability parking and entered the mall. A security guard noticed the vehicle with no disability sticker, and clamped the wheel.
When the traffic officers returned, a scuffle ensued between them and Mr Panther.
“We can park wherever we want, when we are on duty,” said the traffic officers.
At the time, a disabled man arrived and parked next to the traffic officer’s car. He exited his vehicle and was on his way to the mall in a wheelchair.
Irate with the actions of the centre manager in clamping the traffic officer’s wheel, she inquired about the car that had parked next to her in a parking bay for the disabled.
Upon inspection, the traffic officer allegedly found no disability sticker was displayed on the vehicle, and proceeded to issue a traffic fine.
The owner of the vehicle returned from his shopping, in his wheelchair, to find a traffic ticket on his windscreen.
“Here is my sticker!” exclaimed the disabled man.
Visibly upset, he produced his disability sticker, but the fine was already written out.
“What did I do wrong? Why was I issued a ticket?” he asked.
Ashok Anandhaw Chief Traffic Police Officer, commented on the issue:
“I am aware of the situation as it has been brought to my attention. An investigation is under way,” he confirmed.
“I feel that the traffic officers are not above the citizens of the town. Our road laws are for them to comply with too,” elaborated Mr Panther.
A traffic officer, who also on duty, was called to the scene and issued a verbal warning to the offending traffic officers. The clamp was then removed. Mr Panther then requested the officers to vacate the disability-parking zone.
To add insult to injury, the officer claimed that upon removing the clamp, the security guard allegedly damaged her rim and insisted the security company be held responsible for the damages.
“If they refused to be fined for their mistakes, who gives them the right to fine us?” concluded Mr Panther.
