Total *******

<p>At 13h15 we entered the parking area at Howard Centre, the Library entrance in order to collect a form from the library in order to register my daughter. We were about 10 minutes inside when we left as we needed some other documents in order to complete the process. I often visit the Pick n Pay at that centre. The parking is free for an hour. When I arrived at the boom I noticed that the card, which I leave in the car because I leave before the hour has expired and do not need the card to be with me. I then pressed the help button and explained the situation and the guy on the other side told me that I need to pay an amount of R35 which I would pay if I was there more than an hour. I then went to the office and explained that when the boom opened I drove off without taking the car from the slot as I entered. He laughed at me and stated that he wants to help me but I do not want his help to which I asked that are you going to open the boom so that I could leave because R35 for a few minutes when it is an hour free and if I had to be at the centre where I needed to pay that amount, I needed to be there for 6-7 hours. I then contacted the regional office where I spoke to Gavin who directed gave me the Regional Manager's number, named Richard. I could not get hold of him. I called the regional office again and the receptionist answered and I explained my situation to her. She stated that only a regional manager can override the decision and that she would contact me as she also tried to get hold of a regional manager. I waited 15 to 20 minutes after which Gavin called me again and gave me another Regional Managers number, named Phillip. I eventually got hold of Phillip and explained the situation to him. He then stated that I would have to pay because that os what the Centre Management instructed them to do if a card is lost and if they do not follow it that they would lose their jobs including him if he should override it and he instructed the controller or management of Interpark at Howard Centre to manually open the boom. This I find hard to believe that they will be dismissed for R35. I he stated that there is nothing that he can do and that I must pay the R35 and that one of the guys at the Interpark office will take down my details which I refused and that they will take me to the car to make sure that I unlock my car with my key to ensure that I am not trying to ***** it. I was shocked at this. It took me longer to get hold of a regional manager on their cell phones than what it was to get the form at the Library. I told him that it is a ******* that I have to pay R35 for a lost ticket if I was there only for 15 minutes and that the equivalent to time spent at Howard Centre would be 6-7 hours which would cost me R30. At 14h37 I finally had to pay the R35 which is a total *******. GOOD BYE HOWARD CENTRE</p>