Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
Motorists in Bulawayo have intensified complaints against Tendy Three Investments (TTI), the company contracted by the City of Bulawayo to manage parking, accusing it of harsh, selective and insensitive enforcement of parking regulations, particularly against vehicles brought into the central business district (CBD) for official government business.
The latest incident occurred on Friday morning outside the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) offices along 8th Avenue, where a motorist had brought his truck for mandatory physical inspections.
One of the affected motorists, Mr Wallace Mahlangu, said he was left shocked by the manner in which TTI workers handled his case after his truck was clamped despite prior clarification with Zimra officials.
Recounting the incident, Mr Mahlangu said: “I took my truck, which has two long trailers, for physical inspection at Zimra offices located in the CBD.
“Before that, I had asked Zimra officials whether the vehicle wouldn’t be clamped by TTI workers, and I was assured that it wouldn’t happen.”
He said shortly after parking the truck just before 8 a.m., TTI workers moved in and clamped the vehicle without listening to his explanation.
“TTI workers showed no interest in hearing my side of the story; they just clamped it, saying they are acting on instructions from their bosses.
“That happened in full view of Zimra officials, who showed great professionalism when they attended to me,” he said.
Mr Mahlangu said the incident was embarrassing and disruptive, especially considering that he was complying with official government instructions.
Following the clamping, he was issued a US$40 ticket and proceeded to TTI offices to pay the fine, hoping to engage senior officials for redress.
“I then went to TTI offices to pay the fine and sought an audience with top officials.
“I waited for more than 30 minutes to see the officials. I ended up paying the fine. To my surprise, I was told that for trucks such as mine, the fine is US$100.”
He said attempts to seek clarity initially yielded no results.
“I did manage to talk to one official who said the matter is above her level,” he added.
Although the US$40 he had paid was later refunded, Mr Mahlangu said the experience left him questioning the fairness and consistency of TTI’s operations.
“What baffled me is the treatment that TTI is subjecting motorists to,” he said.
“I was merely acting on instructions from an arm of government to bring the truck for physical inspection. I usually see Zimra officials inspecting vehicles at the very spot where I had parked my truck.”
He further questioned the apparent selective enforcement of parking regulations in the city.
“What further surprises me is that at the marketplace along Fifth Avenue, there are trucks that seem to have permanently parked there. Why is TTI not clamping those trucks?” he said.
Expressing his frustration, Mr Mahlangu added: “To me, this is a partisan application of the law. I feel victimised, as I am treated as a second-class citizen compared to those who permanently park vehicles in undesignated areas without being clamped.”
Contacted for comment, TTI official Mr Bongani Nyathi confirmed that the incident happened.
“I heard of the issue. It was the first time seeing such a huge truck parked outside Zimra offices, and there was no arrangement made between Zimra and us (TTI).
“So our officers under the clamping department did their job, and they have no right to release the vehicle. That is the duty of the release section.
“We contacted Zimra and were told there was no arrangement made for the truck. However, the motorist was refunded,” he said.
The incident has renewed debate among Bulawayo motorists and transport operators, many of whom accuse TTI of randomly clamping vehicles while ignoring other clear violations.
Previously, motorists have called on the council to urgently review the conduct of its parking management contractor and ensure that enforcement of by-laws is fair, transparent and considerate, particularly where vehicles are parked for official government business.
