According to council officials, an increase in the parking meter tariff is out of their control and is linked to outside market forces. “You have to understand that as the petrol price increases, so does the cost of parking cars,” explained a mayoral spokesperson.

R25 per every 5 minutes as from today (April 1, 2016).

The tariff formula is based on the fuel levy and with the expected increase in petrol price this month, so parking prices need to be increased.

Cars that are parked deny the country much-needed tax revenue. “With the current economic outlook not being good and threats of recession proving only too real, we as a municipality need to react positively to recover funds lost to the national treasury.”

“Motorists who park cars are deliberately not using petrol or diesel and are effectively denying the government of its petrol levy.”

A government directive is also being studied and has been circulated to all municipal authorities with regards to a blanket R500 per month levy on all garages and carports. It is hoped that council will formulate bylaws in line with the National Revenue Collection Plan (NRCP). “Imagine the money lost on a daily basis, with vehicles being deliberately underused  to undermine the government’s NRCP.

For more information, see HERE