Unchecked street mechanic problem must be solved

The perennial issue of street mechanics operating with abandon on busy CBD roads and pavements remains unsolved going into two decades.

Complaints are made about the damage being done to the immediate environment, and of the effect it has on neighbouring businesses whose premises are surrounded by the sight and sound of welding, oil changing and a host of other related activities.

They drive over streets caked with old oil and strewn with sharp, broken car parts.

When the wind shifts, empty spare part boxes blow onto their properties.

They also must inhale the stench of open ground used as toilets.

As business owners, they pay substantial rates and have the right to clean and neat surroundings.

The continued and apparently tolerated street mechanic activity persists, flying in the face of many municipal by-laws.

Among others, it contradicts the city’s strong pro-environment and tourism stance.

After all, everything dumped into the storm water system, such as used car oil, will eventually find its way into watercourses and the ocean.

It is not a healthy situation, to say the least.

However, there is no doubt the mechanics are meeting a genuine need.

They are catering to a market unable to pay the prices charged by conventional motor repair companies, who by the way are forced to pay property rentals, VAT, business licences and so on.

To give proper service to their clients, the informal mechanics need to be located close to spare part outlets - which surely must become part of the solution.

These outlets (very silent about the mess on their doorstep) are doing a roaring trade and need to put back into this informal sector of the economy, in tandem with the municipality.

Maybe they could sponsor clean-up teams?

There have been endless site meetings with all the role players, going back as far as the then Richards Bay Ratepayers & Residents Association, but still the problem exists…and is getting worse.

The city owns the problem, therefore the solution must lie with them. Ward councillors should lead the process with the officials.

There are many such areas in the city that are a huge cause of embarrassment when visitors pass through.

Let’s fix it, please.