Harare Sticks To Its US$132 Parking Penalty


Harare’s City Parking Department on Friday stuck to its guns following an outcry by motorists who strongly criticised their parking system, whose penalty for breaching the Central Business District (CBD) Traffic By-Laws leads motorists to part with at least US$132.

The only notable change was their acceptance to give motorists a grace period after the expiry of their parking tickets within the CBD.

In a press release Friday, the parking authority stated that after consultations with key stakeholders concerning its operations, they have with immediate effect allowed for a grace period before clamping vehicles in default of the regulations.

“Unpaid vehicles shall be clamped and fined US$132.00 or equivalent after a 30-minute grace period. Paid vehicles shall be clamped and fined US$132.00 or equivalent after an hour’s grace period from expiry,” City Parking said.
Motorists feel the penalties are still too high and have raised concerns that the parking marshals are often invisible when they locate parking space only to find their vehicles clamped or impounded by the authorities.


The recently introduced *192# self-service solution is reportedly flawed as parking marshals allegedly raise network concerns when they try to verify payments made by motorists through the platform.

Media reports allege that City Parking made a US$90 million windfall from the fine collection in just two weeks.

The no-nonsense parking marshals have been caught up in skirmishes with irate motorists after clamping their vehicles. A video circulating on social media bears testimony to the levels of frustration of the public in the CBD.

Yesterday, Zanu PF Politburo member and Secretary for Local Government, Supa Mandiwanzira expressed concern over the situation.

“We are very concerned with the way that motorists in Harare and elsewhere are being treated by the City Fathers, particularly the City marshalls. They are literally being abused, there have almost been skirmishes between motorists and parking officials. We don’t believe that is the best way to treat motorists.

“I believe the local authority has devised a plan to raise money, but if you want to raise money don’t abuse the motorist. Charge a reasonable fee… The local authority is out to actually get more money from the motorists by charging US$130 as a penalty for being clamped.”

“Nowhere in the world do you get penalised US$130 for an infraction of US$2? It’s unbelievable. It is clearly a scheme unacceptable to us because it is harassing motorists, it is harassing the residents of Harare. We call upon the mayor and his CCC authorities in the council to make sure people are not harassed,” he said.

A concerned motorist, Reason Mupanga of Seke, has approached the High Court for the review of the Municipal Traffic Laws Enforcement Act and Harare (Clamping and Tow-Away) By-Laws, Statutory Instrument 104 of 2005, which gives the parking authorities power to impound motor vehicles for the owners to pay a penalty after flouting the regulations.

Renowned businessman Nigel Chanakira also fell victim and was made to pay US$130 after he found his vehicle clamped while attending a meeting.

“Clamped in Harare while in a meeting after I failed to see the parking attendant and pay. I was stuck for a solid two hours sorting this out. City Parking asked for US$130. The fine is totally disproportionate to the offence. I’m perplexed that we can have such unjust city by-laws,” he said through his official Twitter handle.


However, Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume this week told the media that the US$132 penalty would remain in place and that it was not a fundraising scheme.

“We have asked City Parking and our officers to give a grace period. They have suggested a grace period of 10 minutes after the ticket has expired. I will strongly persuade them to make it 20 minutes after the ticket has expired.

“We will make sure that whoever we delegate will conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful. It is not a fundraising issue. What we have is a congested CBD,” he said.

On Tuesday, Local Government minister, July Moyo, established a six-member committee to probe its operations and gave them a ten-day ultimatum to complete their findings.


The committee is to look into parking fees, average daily collection levels, the shareholding structure between Council and City Parking, the relationship between ZRP Harare Traffic and City Parking as well as any other issue arising from the concerns under probe. Nhau/Indaba







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