With lawlessness on the roads in Bloemfontein being a continuous frustration for residents and visitors alike, the Traffic Department has taken a stance against illegal parking, which is one of the huge problems in the city.
The Mangaung Traffic Department has at last started enforcing by-laws as part of the Mangaung Metro’s Reclaiming the City Campaign.
On Friday, several vehicles were impounded in Kellner Street next to Mimosa Mall.
Vehicles, including taxis, are often parked illegally in front of the entrance on this side of the mall.
On Monday the department moved to the CBD and impounded over 30 vehicles. This included vehicles that had been parked in West Burger and St Andrew Street.
Videos and photos of traffic officers clamping the wheels of cars and writing out tickets all over the city are spreading like wildfire on social media.
In January a video of a police vehicle being lifted onto a truck for impoundment in the Bloemfontein CBD was also circulated.
Lt. Gen. Baile Motswenyane, Free State police commissioner, stated afterwards in a press release that they took notice of the video.
According to lettering on the vehicle, it belonged to the Public Safety Unit in Sasolburg.
The police had to pay R1 800 to get the vehicle back.
Qondile Khedama, spokesperson for the Mangaung Metro, says the action taken against parking offenders will be ongoing, to ensure law in the city.
“Motorists must abide by the rules of the road.”
Khedama says motorists are urged to park in designated areas and refrain from parking on the red line.
Officers impounding vehicles in the CBD on Monday in most of these cases were prompted to act because the vehicles had been parked on red lines.
The traffic department and members of law enforcement also impounded illegally parked vehicles outside the Life Rosepark Hospital in Fichardt Park on Tuesday.
All impounded vehicles are taken to the city’s fleet services and will only be released upon payment.
Appart from the R1 800, fines and daily storing costs will also be payable for impounded vehicles.
Most people have commended the action of the department on Facebook, but many point out that officers are simply doing the work that they are being paid to do in the first place.
Some have also remarked that the city does not have enough parking.
