Since the introduction of wardens, there have been complaints about the way they conduct their business. I sometimes agree and at other times I almost pity them because their job of enforcement is not easy indeed.

However, I recently encountered a particular warden who I felt was criminal in his intent. I happened to be passing through a major thoroughfare during the rush hour traffic and my car was the last in the queue. I parked at the side of the road (for a minute) to read a particular shop’s opening hours when I noticed a warden simply standing in the middle of an empty lane. He gestured for me to enter the lane to try to speed things up. As I entered, I pointed to the no-entry sign but he made a sign as if to say “carry on”. When I did so he told me that he was going to fine me.

I protested vociferously and told him that it was he who had instructed me to enter. However, he simply shrugged his shoulders and told me that it was my duty to observe signs and not to blindly follow his instructions.

Can this man really call himself a law enforcement officer? Instead of ensuring that locals are helped, he traps and deceives citizens to ensure that his daily quota (of fines) is reached.