By Takudzwa Changadeya
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader is said to have ordered Harare councillors to slash parking fines following an outcry from motorists over exorbitant parking fines.
This follows after a meeting on Friday between Harare councillors led by Mayor Jacob Mafume and Chamisa on the fines and management of the parking system.
Mafume yesterday confirmed to NewsDay holding a meeting with Chamisa, but refused to disclose the details of the discussion.
“Yes (we met with Chamisa). We have resolved it,” he said.
On the council Facebook page on Saturday, Mafume said: “We have listened to what the motorists are saying and we will reduce (the fines) to levels that are reasonable in the current context.”
In a statement seen by BustopTV, council stated that motorists who did not have arrears exceeding five hours would just have to clear their arrears.
Council charges fines of up to US$132 for non-payment of the $1 parking fee.
The council, which is experiencing liquidity crunch, is being accused of using parking charges, especially fines, as a major source of income to replenish its drying coffers.
Last week, Reason Mupanga of Seke approached the High Court asking an order to declaring as unlawful the practice of impounding motor vehicles by the municipal police over alleged violation of city traffic by-laws.
In his application at the High Court, Mr Mupanga argued that the practice by the city to force motorists to pay fines amounted to extortion.
Addressing journalists on Thursday Mafume said council was merely enforcing already existing laws to the central business district .
Last week, Local Government minister July Moyo appointed a six-member team to investigate the outcry over the parking operations.
A fortnight ago, Moyo gave local authorities a leeway to implement traffic by laws and reclaim bus termini from the state owned Zupco.
