Sidumisile Mabena
Nqobile Bhebhe
Government has gazetted new parking rates capped at US$0,50 per hour, US$20 clamping fees and abolished the cattle levy as part of sweeping measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business and reducing the cost burden on motorists and farmers.
The new measures are contained in Statutory Instrument 41 of 2026, which outlines revised fees and charges across various local authority by-laws.
The gazetting of the new rates takes immediate effect.
Under the new regulations, parking fees under traffic and clamping by-laws have been capped at US$0,50 per hour, while clamping fees have been standardised at US$20.
The move is expected to bring uniformity and affordability to urban parking charges, which had previously varied across local authorities, with some motorists paying as much as US$1 per hour.
In Bulawayo, parking management is handled by Tendy Three Investments, a private company contracted by the City of Bulawayo.
The company is now expected to adjust its charges from US$1 to the new Government-approved rate of US$0,50 per hour in line with the statutory instrument.
The intervention is set to provide relief to motorists in the city, where parking fees had become a source of concern for businesses and residents alike.
Government has said the rationalisation of fees forms part of broader efforts to streamline local authority charges, enhance transparency and create a conducive environment for economic activity.
In addition to the parking reforms, the abolition of the cattle levy is expected to ease the financial burden on farmers and boost agricultural productivity, particularly in rural communities where livestock plays a central role in livelihoods.
The revised framework seeks to balance revenue collection by local authorities with the need to support citizens and businesses.
Online Reporter