A NUMBER of lawmakers have had their vehicles clamped in Harare’s central business district CBD) for failure to display valid parking discs.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, City Parking managing director Simon Muzviyo said the company had now given lawmakers exemptions for one vehicle each.
City Parking is a firm that manages parking bays in Harare.
“City Parking has noted with concern the number of vehicles allegedly belonging to Members of Parliament being clamped for failure to display valid parking tickets,” he wrote in a letter dated April 29.
“Recognising the importance of ensuring a smooth parking experience for our esteemed Members of Parliament within the CBD, City Parking hereby extends an offer to exempt one vehicle per member from both Houses [the Upper and Lower] from parking fees.”
Muzviyo recently told legislators that City Parking is a private company which cannot be scrutinised under the Public Finance Management Act.
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This comes after there were concerns over parking fees which, in some instances, led to clashes between motorists and parking marshals.
The Local Government ministry early last year appointed a committee to investigate the conduct of Harare City Council with regards to the issue of parking fees.
Motorists say they were not able to pay for parking fees as the point of sale machines were either down or there were no parking marshals, thereby leaving their car without paying. The motor vehicles were clamped.
Following the public outcry, the council reduced the penalty parking fees to US$65 from US$132.
Former Citizens Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa is said to have ordered his councillors to review the fines.