PARKING NUISANCE
There is an unspoken rule in some of Gaborone’s busiest shopping malls.
Before one even switches off their engine and reaches for their handbag or shopping list, there will already be a man standing near the car window.
One hand raised like a traffic officer, the other pointing confidently toward a parking bay that one had already spotted themself.
“Tsena ha mama, sokela maotwana ko pele, ko morago, left, right, sharp!”
Most drivers now know the routine; this is how you are welcomed to the unofficial world of Gaborone’s self-appointed parking assistants, a permanent sighting at malls such as BBS Mall, African Mall, and Main Mall.
They are always there, whether it is in the morning, midday, or evening, come rain or sunshine, you will find them standing, waiting, waving, and directing.
They do so even when the parking space is as clear as daylight, and before one even opens their door, they come running,
“Can I wash the car for you? Or can I polish your wheels nicely?”
Some drivers agree, while some decline. However, declining does not end the conversation; they go on to assure the driver that they should not worry, as they will look after their car for them.
And just like that, a service one never requested is rendered, and here is where things get tricky: an unspoken bill gets squeezed in right here. Technically, there was never any agreement, no contract, negotiation, or price, but at this juncture, every driver should know that when they return from shopping, there will be an expected payment.
This is a silent invoice, and most drivers simply hand over whatever coins or notes they have, P2, P5, sometimes P10. This is a silent invoice, and most drivers simply hand over whatever coins or notes they have, P2, P5,
sometimes P10.
For some assistants, that is enough, but for others, the expectation is clear: nothing less than P10 will do.
And if the driver produces only a few coins, the mood can change quickly, leading to some drivers being insulted.
Others say the assistants can go as far as kicking the tyres or slapping the car body in frustration as the driver pulls away.
Gaborone City Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng said recently that the city council is aware of the growing complaints.
He confirmed that numerous drivers have raised concerns about these self-appointed parking assistants operating across the city.
While acknowledging that some have good intentions, the Mayor admits others have become a public nuisance.
“They forcibly demand payment, disturb drivers, and in some instances even damage vehicles,” Motlaleng said.
The matter, he said been brought to the attention of law enforcement officers so that corrective measures can be taken.
Central Police Station Commander, Superintendent Sharpson Mbuso, who oversees areas around African Mall and Main Mall, says the situation is more complex than many people realise.
He explained that while the assistants can be a nuisance at times, they have also helped reduce vehicle break-ins.
“We used to have many cases of motor vehicle break-ins, but since these men started operating there, they have helped bring those numbers down. We actually need drivers to stop leaving their valuables in their cars,” he said.
Meaning that the very people who sometimes annoy drivers may also be the ones preventing criminals from breaking into their cars.
However, he said they are alive to the fact that some are indeed a nuisance, saying they have even charged them in the past.
Explaining that not everyone appreciates their presence, that some drivers say the assistants are often too aggressive, especially female drivers, as some are now avoiding certain malls entirely because they fear confrontation.
Mbuso explained that they have on several occasions tried to engage these men, warning those who harass drivers that they will be charged and pleading with them to work peacefully with drivers, not force them to give them money.
Saying even when someone clearly does not need assistance, some still stand behind their car when they are reversing, waving directions dramatically, all while the driver is perfectly capable of doing it alone.
Superintendent Mbuso further revealed that officers have even held meetings with the men, advising them on how to behave around drivers, saying they are allowed to ask for a tip, but threatening or insulting drivers is unacceptable.
To monitor the situation, police have established a small committee at the malls; these groups keep an eye on activities and report any misbehaviour directly to the station commander.
Anyone who steps out of line is quickly warned or dealt with.
Meanwhile, Mbuso pointed out that drivers themselves are not always innocent, as sometimes they engage the assistants when parking spaces are full.
The assistants then squeeze their cars into areas where parking is actually illegal.
“When we find such cases, we charge the vehicle owners as well,” he said.