Sars clients cause parking havoc
RANDBURG- Randburg drivers beware of traffic congestion caused by Sars construction between Kent and Hill streets.
The South African Revenue Services (Sars) office in Ferndale, has recently undergone major reconstruction. This has caused severe traffic congestion and decreased visibility on Hill Street.
Sars’s website has an apology which states, the conclusion of the construction will be on 28 August this year.
Although there is an apology on Sars’s website, it seems the problem has worsened.
The construction has ultimately led motorists to park on the island and on the left-hand side of Hill Street.
A concerned resident John Taylor, and a former community ward member for the public office of Randburg under Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood complained about this.
Taylor says, “The situation is worse than ever before and I often hear complaints from those who look to me for help.”
Manager of the Sasol petrol station on Hill Street next to Sars, Hardik Aiaik said, “When I tell customers that they cannot park in my station, they say I must talk to Sars. The construction workers that frequent my station shop tell me that construction will only be finished in September.”
He has started clamping or even towing, any cars that are parked in his bays.
The unmarked allocated overflow parking area for their customers is on the right-hand side of Kent Street. Metro Police have issued only a few tickets to motorists and those cars not excluded from ticketing were none other than two police vehicles.
Metro Police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar commented that, “Officers will be sent to enforce parking regulations where the cars are obstructing other cars at this time.”
Sars deputy media spokesperson Marika Muller responded on this matter, “The construction work at Sars Randburg is specifically to increase the capacity of the parking available to taxpayers. The fact that there would be construction was communicated in advance to taxpayers and businesses in the area. A number of parking bays have been reserved for the elderly, disabled and others with restricted mobility. There is parking available at the Randburg Mall which is in walking distance of the Sars branch. The new parking area is due for completion at the end of August.”
Details: www.sars.gov.za or Marika Muller, 012 422 6775.
