Story by Cordelia Ngara
MOTORISTS in Harare are not happy with the city’s parking service provider, Easy Park, which they accuse of inefficiency, amid suspicion of a ploy to have vehicles clamped in order for motorists to pay more than just parking fees.
As one moves in the capital’s CBD, the common sight is that of clamped vehicles and those being toured by Harare City Council officials.
Parking in Harare’s Central Business District costs an equivalent of US$1, but once a vehicle has been clamped, a motorist is assured that they will fork out at least US$132.
Motorists however suspect they is a grand plan to milk them by Easy Park, whose parking marshals are in most cases not found at parking bays, a situation that makes motorists leave their cars in bays but without paying.
What is more painful for motorists is that it doesn’t take minutes to have their cars clamped, something that makes them part ways with a lot of money.
A motorist said, ‘‘They make us wait here, or they come only to tell us they don’t have change. It is getting really frustrating because we will be rushing for work.’’
Another motorist noted, ‘‘We work in town every day from 8 am to 4 pm and they expect us to pay a dollar an hour if we exceed with 5 minutes they clamp our cars.’’
Social media platforms are awash with people’s complaints over same, amid clashes between parking marshals and some motorists this Wednesday.
Asked for a comment, the Harare City Council said motorists should comply with parking laws.
Harare City Council acting spokesperson Innocent Ruwende said, ‘‘Currently we are looking at our model. We are urging the motorists to comply because these fines are not mandatory there are for people who overstep the parking laws. You have to pay so that you can park and we are also trying to raise funds to repair the roads so motorists should just comply with our by-laws.’’
The local authority recently appointed a committee to look into the city parking issue but residents are not convinced that anything meaningful will come out of it.