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“It was at around 10am when I got to my workplace and found the council workers towing four vehicles which include two kombis, a Mazda pick-up and a Peugeot. They never said anything but left invoices for towing fees and money for storage,” said Mr Pikisai.
He said he was shocked when he got to the Revenue Hall when he was told that he was to pay $120 for each of his vehicle to be released.
“These people are hypocrites, they always sing the indigenisation and black empowerment song yet they are failing us. They are guilty of all the brain drain that has forced professionals like us to go and develop other countries,” said Mr Pikisai.
He said the move by the local authority reduced him to nothing as he was now bankrupt. Mr Pikisai said after council impounded his clients’ vehicles, he could not raise money for wages, rent and electricity.
“I cannot even think of how I will repay these people who want their vehicles from me. I cannot afford to pay $120 for each vehicle,” he said.
A mechanic, who only identified himself as Mr Murewa, who runs a backyard garage along corner Jason Moyo Street and 14th Avenue, said he had to rush to the Revenue Hall after council workers impounded two of the vehicles he was repairing.
“I was shocked yesterday because even though I was operating from an undesignated area, council police did not give me a chance to explain. They just towed away two vehicles and told me to pay $65 for each vehicle.
“They also told me that the fee would increase by $15 with each passing day,” said Mr Murewa.
Another mechanic who preferred to remain anonymous and works at a backyard garage along 15th Avenue and Fife Street said he was disappointed by the way the council was handling the issue of backyard garages.
“The council never gave us a notice to stop operations and they are now demanding $150 for each of my eight vehicles they impounded,” he said.
He however, conceded that he was operating without a licence but said council should be sensitive to the plight of its residents following the closure of many companies in the city.
“I applied for a licence a long time ago and I am still waiting for it. My worry now is that I cannot raise the money council is demanding which I think is outrageous,” he said.
Asked to comment, the council’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu, confirmed the operation and said it was targeted at unlicensed operators and those operating from undesignated areas.
“This exercise started last year and is ongoing. We only stopped during the festive season. It resumed on Tuesday and we want to rid the city of all illegal operators, many of whom are operating from undesignated areas. Those who want to operate in the city must regularise their business operations by obtaining operating licences for their businesses,” said Mrs Mpofu.
She said the council impounded 12 vehicles on Tuesday and ticketed nine illegal backyard garages.
“Vehicles will continue to be clamped or towed away and payment will be based on the activity being undertaken. Operators will be charged $15 if found washing vehicles in undesignated areas and $36 for repairing vehicles.
“We are charging $15 plus VAT for small vehicles and $30 plus VAT for big cars per day for storage,” said Mrs Mpofu.
She encouraged residents intending to start operations such as repair of cars to visit the council offices so that they get the information on how to obtain an operating licence.
“Residents should visit our offices so that we work out together with the health and town planning department on how to regularise their operations.
“Those who have been affected by this blitz can come to the office or apply for operating licences,” she said.
Online Reporter