Stellenbosch Municipality recently opened the proposed lease of the Eikestad Parking Area to Eikestad Mall (EM) for public comment.
This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for the municipality.
The public has until 19 August to provide input on the matter, said Grobbelaar.
The parking area was previously managed by the municipality, said Grobbelaar. However, the municipality “found that it would make more sense financially to lease the parking area to an expert parking contractor”, he explained.
Stellenbosch Municipality held a special council meeting on 23 February where it was decided that single-level parking areas could be managed through external delivery systems, making the Eikestad Parking Area eligible for rental. This is according to municipal notice 96/2022. PHOTO: Aiden Louw
Rental reasons
“The municipality had received complaints regarding the processing of payments before,” according to municipal notice 96/2022.
With EM as the new management, “parking equipment with cashless transactions like tap and go, Snapscan and Zapper will create efficiencies and reduced queuing”, said Andrew Grundlingh, spokesperson for EM.
Municipal resources would be freed up to other areas should the parking area be leased to EM, claimed Grobbelaar.
“By leasing out the parking area to a dedicated and professional parking management contractor, the municipality will be able to deploy parking marshals, traffic officers and law enforcement to other areas of the municipality,” explained Grobbelaar.
Stellenbosch Municipality’s management of the Eikestad Parking Area was found to be unsustainable and less favourable, according to municipal notice 96/2022, which concerns the rental of the Eikestad Parking Area to Eikestad Mall. PHOTO: Aiden Louw
Serious about safety
The Eikestad Parking Area has remained a hotspot for theft out of motor vehicles, according to Capt Nathalie Martin, spokesperson for the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Stellenbosch station.
Other crimes have also been reported in the area, according to Jacolene Lombaard, a Stellenbosch resident, who claimed that both her son and his friend’s bicycles were stolen in the parking lot on 11 August.
“[The] bicycles were locked [in the parking lot] when they went into the mall,” claimed Lombaard. “They came out and the lock was broken and two of the bicycles were stolen.”
“I don’t feel safe [in the parking area],” said Lombaard, explaining that she no longer makes use of the area.
If EM’s management of the area meant that it was safer and inexpensive, she would park there again, said Lombaard. “But I think it’ll take time for everyone to get used to it and be sure for certain that it’s safe,” she added.
Two bicycles were stolen in the Eikestad Parking Area on 11 August between 15:45 and 17:15, claimed Jacolene Lombaard, a resident of Stellenbosch. “We will endeavour to reduce all types of criminal activity in this public space [if we rent it],” stated Andrew Grundlingh, spokesperson for Eikestad Mall. PHOTO: Aiden Louw
To address these crimes, “dedicated security and parking staff will manage [the parking area] on the ground with a visible presence 24/7”, stated Grundlingh.
“The support and involvement with the local SAPS and Law Enforcement Authorities will be a partnership,” he added.
*By the time of publication, MatieMedia was unable to establish whether the fees for parking in the area would change under new management.