adminKhama Phiri Midlands Bureau
GWERU mayor, Councillor Hamutendi Kombayi has attacked the city’s clamping system saying it is chaotic.
His comments come against a backdrop of mounting concerns raised by motorists in recent months over the management of the parking disc-cum clamping programme in Gweru. Motorists argue the tariffs and fines are too high.
He said: “The manner in which we run our parking disc programme leaves a lot to be desired. It’s chaotic. We plan to visit Harare and learn how they run their parking disc programme since they have been running it for years.”
Gweru City Council introduced the parking disc programme in June last year triggering an outcry from the motoring public. Motorists were not happy with the tariffs, fines and areas designated as parking ones.
They said the tariffs and fines were very high while the parking zones stretched to areas beyond the central business district unlike in most cities. The city charges $1 per hour for packing at designated zones and R5 for 30mins. A fine for displaying a parking disc which is not ticked is $45.
The motorists also felt that the council’s disc and clamping teams were a rowdy lot that needs to be coached on professional conduct.
“The teams are quick to clamp your car the moment you close the door. Most of the time you meet the team that clamps instead of officers who sell the parking discs. It appears like it’s a cheap way of raising revenue that our council came up with. This is affecting business in the city,” said one motorist.
Clr Kombayi said he engaged management on the need to revise the penalties downwards. He said the revised fees and penalties were supposed to have been advertised in the press by end of April.
“We reduced the parking tariffs last month. We also reduced fines levied on motorists who commit parking offences including failing to display a valid parking disc. I will make sure the new tariffs are advertised in the media once I am back in office. I will also make sure that everything that comes into my office on my desk is quickly actioned. This is the only way we can improve service delivery in our city,” said the Mayor.
Former Mayor, Tedius Chimombe, told Chronicle last year the parking disc programme was raking in $5 000 per day.
In Bulawayo motorists pay $32 for a three- month term or alternatively pay $1 a day for parking.
Online Reporter