Govt launches investigation into City Parking dispute with motorists in Harare
Local Government Minister July Moyo has appointed a committee to investigate the conduct of Harare City Council with regards to the issue of parking fees that has caused outrage in the capital.
Motorists are complaining about the controversial payment system being used by City Parking, a subsidiary of the Harare City Council.
Sometimes motorists are not able to pay their parking fees due to swipe/payment systems being down but when they come back, they find their cars clamped and being forced to pay more than US$130 fines.
The problems started late last month when the Harare City Council passed a resolution that gave City Parking marshals the power to clamp and fine traffic offenders in a move meant to decongest the Central Business District, however the move has resulted in clashes between motorists and marshals.
Accordingly, the Minister said investigations should be complete within ten working days.
“I have the pleasure in appointing you to chair an investigation team to look into the operations of City Parking in Harare City Council. You shall endeavor to establish the following issues: The parking fees, the average daily collection levels, the shareholding structure between Council and City Parking, the role of the Municipal Traffic Police in parking; the relationship, if any, between the ZRP Harare Traffic and City Parking – any other issues incidental to, or arising from the above,” Moyo wrote in a letter to one Chimowa from the department of spatial planning and development (who will chair the committee.
“As provided for in section 313 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29: 15) and as read with Ministry Circulars regarding deployment of investigation teams, City of Harare will bear the costs of the investigation, which I expect you to complete within 10 (ten) working days, whereupon you shall compile a report of your findings for my consideration within five- working days,” Moyo said.
The letter was copied to Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, Secretary for Provincial Affairs and devolution Tafadzwa Muguti and acting Harare Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo.
