The issue of safe parking bays at some of the town’s restaurants in Thohoyandou has once again come under the spotlight. This follows a nasty incident recenty, that happened at Chicken Licken Mutsindo Mall, where a runaway car broke a restaurant´s glass window before stopping next to the tables.

Afternoon diners had to scuttle and duck for dear life as the car rushed straight at them. Eyewitnesses at the scene said the car was without a driver at the time of the incident. It is alleged that a woman parked the car and left for the opposite restaurant when the incident happened. It is believed the handbrake of the car had not been used when the owner parked on a steep verandah of the restaurant.

“I was busy eating the meal that I had ordered when I saw this car coming at high speed towards the window. In no time the car was right there in front of us,“ said Mashudu Mudau. Mudau said everything came to a halt when staff and patrons trembled in fear. “I have never been so frightened. I thought the car would kill us all,” said Mudau, who was still in a state of shock. Some of those interviewed at the scene were not happy about parking at most of the businesses.

Mr Asif Patel, manager at the restaurant, said it was the first incident of its kind. He said the business had suffered thousands of rands worth of damages through the incident. “We had to work without windows while the damaged area was being attended to, but we are just thankful that no one was injured during the incident,” he said.

He said he had spoken to the management of the complex to look into the matter of parking in front of the restaurant. The glass was repaired the same day, but they are still awaiting the halal certificate. Attempts to get comment from the Mvusuludzo Mall centre manager, Mr Gerhard, drew a blank as there was no one answering his office phone.