Online Reporter
To the Mayor, Councillors, and City of Harare Officials,
I write as a concerned citizen and businessperson who believes it is time for the City of Harare to urgently review its vehicle clamping policy.
While everyone agrees that parking regulations must be respected, the current system appears to prioritise punishment over practicality. Vehicle clamping has become a significant burden on hardworking citizens and businesses that are trying to contribute to Zimbabwe’s economy.
Every day, business owners, contractors, delivery drivers, healthcare workers, sales representatives, and other professionals rely on their vehicles to earn a living. When these vehicles are clamped, appointments are missed, deliveries are delayed, customers are inconvenienced, and businesses lose money. The economic impact extends far beyond the individual driver. A system that prevents people from working is ultimately working against economic growth.
There are also serious concerns about how clamping is carried out. In many cases, drivers return to their vehicles only to find them clamped and are then instructed to “go and find the clamper.” This leaves people stranded, frustrated, and unable to resolve the issue quickly. If a driver is present and willing to move the vehicle immediately, why should the vehicle still be clamped?
Enforcement should encourage compliance, not create unnecessary hardship.
There are growing concerns that some clamping operations may lack transparency, creating a perception that revenue collection has become more important than serving the public. Whether justified or not, this perception damages public trust and deserves careful attention.
The City of Harare has an opportunity to introduce a more balanced and business-friendly approach by:
- Allowing drivers who are present to move their vehicles immediately without being clamped.
- Issuing parking fines without immobilising vehicles in most cases.
- Ensuring all parking enforcement officers are clearly identified and easily contactable.
- Providing a transparent, efficient and accountable appeals process.
- Reserving clamping for repeat offenders or vehicles causing genuine obstruction or danger.
Harare should be a city that supports enterprise, investment and productivity, not one where people lose hours of valuable business time trying to locate a clamper.
As Zimbabwe works to grow its economy and attract investment, local authorities should be partners in economic development, not obstacles to it. Policies should encourage people to work, trade and invest while maintaining order through fair enforcement.
I respectfully urge the City of Harare to engage with residents, businesses and stakeholders to review the current clamping policy and implement reforms that are fair, transparent and economically sensible.
Together, we can build a city that enforces the law while supporting those who drive Zimbabwe’s economy forward.
Yours faithfully,
A Concerned Citizen and Businessperson [email protected]
( I got clamped outside Passport Offices, driver present and had money for parking, but no change. Told attendant I was getting change, but he didn’t listen)
