Cape Town - A BMW driver allegedly assaulted a Cape Town woman marshal because he refused to pay her a R2.50 parking fee, the city said on Friday.
He swore at the woman, employed by the city's service provider, Street Parking Solutions, before slapping her in the face, mayoral committee member Brett Herron said in a statement.
“When he got out of his vehicle, the parking marshal informed him of his obligation to pay a R2.50 tariff as per the parking by-law.”
The motorist in the white BMW refused, saying he was merely dropping something off.
“When he returned, the parking marshal once again showed him the parking meter reflecting the amount owing,” Herron said.
“The motorist then proceeded to strike out, knocking the meter from the parking marshal’s hand and causing it to fall to the ground. The meter broke and the LCD screen was damaged.
“The motorist then swore at the marshal and violently shoved her, before slapping her across the face.”
The driver had parked in Lower Long Street, in a short-stay bay, for 15 minutes.
Herron said the city had previously received numerous complaints about motorists who refused to pay for parking.
“The parking by-laws are very important because they regulate parking so that we don't have one vehicle parked there the whole day.”
The woman was advised to lay charges.
Police were not aware of the case, spokesman Warrant Officer November Filander said. - Sapa