Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Estie Senekal and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Dihlabeng Local Municipality to urgently address the ongoing issue of illegal overnight parking of heavy vehicles in Bethlehem, Fouriesburg and surrounding towns. Despite clear regulations outlined in the municipal by-laws, enforcement remains lax, causing persistent problems for residents and businesses. Please see the pictures here, here and here.
According to Chapter 1, Part 1/9 of the Dihlabeng Municipality by-laws, regarding the parking of heavy vehicles, caravans, and taxis, it is explicitly stated: “No person may, for an uninterrupted period exceeding two hours, except in places reserved for the parking of heavy vehicles, park on a public road within the municipal area.”
This regulation is aimed at maintaining order and safety within the municipal area by preventing heavy vehicles from occupying public roads for extended periods. However, the ANC-controlled municipality has consistently failed to enforce these by-laws by traffic officials, leading to continued illegal parking practices by truck drivers.
The DA has received numerous complaints from residents and business owners in Bethlehem, Fouriesburg and surrounding towns regarding the disruption caused by these parked trucks, especially at night.
The lack of enforcement not only undermines local regulations but also poses safety hazards in the affected areas. This problem has persisted for many years, with no adequate action taken by the ANC-led municipality to resolve the issue.
The DA is calling on the Dihlabeng Municipality to take immediate and decisive action by:
- Enforcing the existing by-laws regarding the parking of heavy vehicles.
- Providing adequate parking facilities for heavy vehicles to overnight in designated areas.
- Ensuring continuous monitoring and penalising violations to prevent recurrence.
- Erect NO PARKING signs
The municipality must address this issue with urgency to restore order and ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.
We will continue to pressure the municipality to improve the situation and ensure that by-laws are enforced effectively. We remain committed to holding the municipality accountable and advocating for the interests of all residents in the Dihlabeng area.