Zimpapers Logo

Municipal Correspondent

The new parking fees announced by City Parking of $50 per hour in Harare’s Central Business District are now in effect.

The new fees are a climbdown from the US$1 that City Parking had proposed, but was forced to go back to $20 per hour following a public outcry.

In an interview after announcing the hike last Thursday, City Parking public relations manager Mr Francis Mandaza said they settled on $50 after consultations with stakeholders.

“Following extensive consultations done by City of Harare and City Parking with the motoring public, we have rescinded our previous decision to charge US$1 per hour or the equivalent,” he said.

“The new parking tariff shall be $50 per hour while those who use our mobile app ‘Park Assist’, which is available on Google Playstore, shall pay a discounted amount of $45 per hour.”

Harare Residents Trust chairman Mr Precious Shumba yesterday said consultations were done by council and City Parking bureaucrats instead of the Finance and Development Committee which has oversight on budgeting and resources allocation.

“As long as the City Parking finances are handled separately from the Finance Department, there is going to be continuous abuse of City Parking revenues by the private company board and management who lack accountability through council committee system,” he said.

Mr Shumba said while the reviewed new parking fees are largely designed to cushion City Parking workers on their earnings, they will not likely improve the services being rendered by the company.

“Most streets do not have visible street markings, the on street parking markings are blurred and very little is being remitted to the City of Harare to cushion ratepayers,” he said.

Combined Harare Residents Association director Mrs Loreen Mupasiri-Sani said while City Parking had consulted motorists, it was good to engage more stakeholders before hiking fees.