Truck drivers passing through Louis Trichardt on tiring journeys no longer have space to park.

Previously, trucks parked on the piece of open veldt between the Eltivillas shopping complex and the N1.

“These truck drivers are tired and they need a rest. They are well mannered people who do not cause problems and they brought business to us. The municipality has chased away our bread and butter,” said Ms Poppy and Fazeela Noor, businesswomen of the area.

The Makhado Municipality erected signs prohibiting entry to the area, stating that trespassers will be prosecuted. When asked to give the reason for putting up the signs, the municipal spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi, said that they “are doing law enforcement because it is our park. People are making a nuisance by parking in a public park. That forms part of our Greenbelt.”

A while ago, several landmark indigenous trees were chopped down in the same park, but that apparently did not bother the municipality.

Last week, the municipality gave the order to have trenches dug all along the area. Mr Bobodi said it was to get the “vehicles out of the park. They are damaging our curbings.”

Since Wednesday last week, some trucks could be seen coming into the Eltivillas business area and then turning around and leaving the area.

“For the past three or so years, the trucks have always used this area to park. The drivers would buy something from the businesses or visit the doctor, benefiting the business community. Where must they park now? Is there a truck inn in Louis Trichardt?” said businessman Mr Narendra Desai.

“We liked parking in that area and doing some shopping. We need a rest, but now we are forced to pass through. Ask your municipality to make our parking there,” said Mr Izak Kaseke, one of the truck drivers who spoke to the Zoutpansberger.

Another truck driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that there were truck inns in Musina and Polokwane, but not in Louis Trichardt.

“It’s a problem finding parking here,” he said.

When asked about a local truck inn, Mr Bobodi said that it’s not their responsibility to establish a truck inn.

“Ours is service delivery,” said Bobodi.

On Thursday last week, a truck driver jumped out of his truck to get a cold drink and newspaper at one of the shops and received a R1 500 traffic fine.

But there are also those who do not like the trucks parking in the area, with the municipality receiving complaints in this regard.

“Shop owners have complained to us. Trucks are a nuisance. People use the shop fronts as toilets. The place is dangerous at night. They also promote prostitution and it is a fire hazard,” reads the municipal statement. Other businesspeople of Eltivillas mentioned that people, mostly foreigners, are also allowed to sleep on the grass in the corresponding area south of the entrance road to Eltivillas.

“They are the biggest problem,” a shop owner said.

The municipality, however, denied that there are any squatters in the area.