Update
GEORGE NEWS - A venture that started in Middelburg in 1996 has come under attack in George and is being done untold harm by uninformed individuals. So says the local representative of Street Eyes, Barry Botha.
Botha, one of the Street Eyes directors, says recent online reports and videos in which local informal car guards make false and unsubstantiated allegations against him and his business, have damaged the business's reputation. "We are losing business every day," he says.
The allegations include that Botha wants car guards to pay Street Eyes to be allowed to work for them.
"This is untrue," says Botha. He says he has been trying to convince local car guards that they will soon have to be Psira (Private Security Industry Regulation Act, 56 of 2001) registered and managed by a security company.
Botha also wants the municipality to make use of a Street Eyes developed handheld parking device that, according to him, detects stolen, cloned or false number plates, curbing crime.
CBD against paid parking
George municipal manager Trevor Botha says the George Municipality has through the years received various proposals and presentations from numerous companies with regard to paid parking options for George.
"Upon further investigation, it became clear that the business community in the CBD was opposed to paid parking at the time. They considered it a factor that might be bad for business as it would discourage people from going to the CBD if they could park for free at shopping centres outside the city centre."
The MM says the municipality is investigating all aspects regarding parking as part of its ongoing city centre rejuvenation goals, and council has approved a framework to address parking in the CBD.
"Should it be decided that a paid parking system be implemented using an outside service provider, it will have to go through a formal tendering process."
He says the municipality is aware of technological advantages of equipment and constant upgrades in the managing of parking areas in municipalities.
These factors would be considered when tender specifications for such services, if ever applicable, are drawn up.
"Such a process would also include public participation to ensure that the needs of business, residents and other role players would be considered."
Read a related article: Car Guard survey to effect change
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