Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo (pictured) has launched a six-member team to investigate operations of the City of Harare and its subsidiary company City Parking.
This follows after City Parking marshals were recently given the power by City of Harare to clamp and fine traffic offenders with the aim to decongest the city.
The move has since been causing clashes between motorists and marshals, with some marshals being bashed by angry motorists.
In a letter addressed to Chimowa of Harare Metropolitan Province department of spatial planning and development, Moyo said:
“I have the pleasure in appointing you to chair an investigation team to look into the operations of City Parking in Harare City Council.
“You shall endeavor to establish the following issues: The parking fees, the average daily collection levels, the shareholding structure between Council and City Parking, the role of the Municipal Traffic Police in parking; the relationship, if any, between the ZRP Harare Traffic and City Parking – any other issues incidental to, or arising from the above,” wrote Moyo.
Minister Moyo said the committee will complete investigations within ten working days with the City of Harare bearing the costs of the investigations.
“As provided for in section 313 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29. 15) and as read with Ministry Circulars regarding deployment of investigation teams, City of Harare will bear the costs of the investigation, which I expect you to complete within 10 (ten) working days, whereupon you shall compile a report of your findings for my consideration within five working days,” he added.
The letter was copied to Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, Secretary for Provincial Affairs and devolution Tafadzwa Muguti and acting Harare Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo.
Responding to the rising complaints from the motorists pertaining to the exorbitant parking fines, Mayor of Harare, Jacob Mafume took to Twitter and said,” We have noted concerns of the public on this issue .We will be calling a Press Conference tomorrow together with city parking to announce the recommendations we have received from the public .We have to strike a balance between the fines and what people can afford.”
Three weeks ago, City Parking said the local government authority mandated it to clamp and collect fines from motorists violating traffic rules in the capital.
“City of Harare has mandated City Parking (PVT) LTD to enforce parking and traffic by-laws within Harare.
“The mandate includes clamping, fine ticketing and fine collection on parking and traffic offences,” partly reads a circular seen by BustopTV.
Three years ago, five City Parking supervisors under filed to High Court, seeking an order declaring illegal, null and void Statutory Instrument (SI) 104/2005 which empowers the City of Harare to clamp and tow away vehicles.
The five supervisors had argued that the said by-law is contrary to section 4 and 8 of the Municipal Traffic Laws Enforcement Act, but their application did not find favour with High Court judge Justice Zisengwe.
