Disabled parking hotline

Wheel clamps may be used in centres where able-bodied people illegally park in disabled bays. Alternatively, the vehicle may be towed away. Image: Wikipedia

When they receive a call the South African Community Action Network will contact the shopping centre's management or the police to remove vehicles from bays designed for disabled drivers or to clamp the vehicle's wheels.

"When a member of the public calls with a description and the location of the vehicle, the duty manager will contact the shopping centre and tell management to move the vehicle," network spokesman Lachlan Nicholson said.

He said the network would call police to remove the vehicle if centre management ignores the call.

QuadPara Association of SA's Chief Executive Ari Seirlis said: "Some people just cannot resist the temptation of an empty wheelchair parking bay."

Disabled bays are reserved for wheelchair customers as they are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

"Many people who have a limp, a crutch, a walking stick, emphysema or are never short of breath, feel they have a right to use this space. They do not," Seirlis said.

He said disabled drivers should display a legitimate sticker from an accredited disability agency.

Sandton City Centre Manager Sharon Swain said those who parked illegally often abused its security guards and parking attendants. The car's wheels would be clamped and a fine levied.