The low-key war over disabled parking at the Dundee Boulevard Centre is continuing despite the zones reserved for the disabled being re-marked with bright, yellow paint.
Trudy van Wyk-Franz, Centre manager, said she was hoping to hire car guards to supplement her current manpower of one guard to monitor the Centre.
“By having more eyes, we hope to stop people from parking in these zones before they actually stop and get out of their vehicle. We want to educate the public to please think of those who are less fortunate.”
Only vehicles carrying an official disabled person sticker are permitted to park on the two sets of reserved zones – one adjacent to Truworths and the other in front of Soni’s Jewellers.
But many motorists could not care less. “We have tried to be as flexible as possible. We allow obviously the elderly to use these bays even though they do not have an official sticker. Also, we can issue temporary discs to those who may be temporarily on crutches. The discs are valid for one month but can be renewed.”
Pamphlets are placed on the windscreens of those cars that are parked illegally in the reserved zones. “The pamphlets serve as a friendly warning that the vehicle may in future be wheel-clamped or towed away. There is also information regarding the Association for the Physically Disabled.”

Trudy said the arrogance displayed by some who use these bays illegally is ‘something to see’.
“When my guard and I approach those who park (in these zones) we are usually confronted with total aggression. I have been sworn at and called a racist, among other things. Sometimes efforts by the public to also ‘discipline’ those who park there do not help – tempers flair and one day I fear that something tragic will happen such is the rage – just like road rage.”
Even a local Mayor was caught using the disabled bay and had to be hauled out of the Wimpy and his driver asked to remove their car.
“Some weeks ago I confronted some young men who were parked in front of Truworths. They were certainly not disabled and showed absolute contempt – even drinking alcohol in the parking lot.”
There have been other social ills too – like drug dealers pushing narcotics in the parking lot. “Members of the public keep us informed, for which are very grateful, and we can take action,” Trudy told the Courier.
The installation of CCTV-cameras will also ramp up security. For now, Trudy has pleaded for able-bodied motorists not to park in these reserved zones. “It is all about being considerate. We are a small town and hopefully we can all work together.”