A concerned social media user has taken to Facebook to warn Zimbabweans about some Harare parking scams and how some City parking officials and touts are exploiting motorists in the CBD.
Facebook user Marvin Chigumbura Tapiwa shared how officials and touts use the law to get bribes out of motorists. In a detailed post he shared how a motorist can make sure that he is not breaking any laws.
You park your car nicely not overlapping on any white lines ,your Zinara license is upto date, you search high & low for a parking official find them & pay for the amount of time you want to park. You even go ahead & ask them kuti hauna chikwereti here ?
How the Scam Works
After one leaves their car, a tout will approach them asking to wash their vehicle. If you refuse and go about your business, you will find your car clamped. After checking and seeing that you are still well within your paid-for time, you will inquire why you are clamped.
The City parking officials will tell you that your car was being washed which is against the law. Four parking officials will then come and surround your car in bid to ‘negotiate’ with you. If you ask why they did not arrest the tout washing your car they will say he ran away and he was sent on that errand by you.
The Good Cop, Bad Cop Routine
When confronted, the clamping team splits into two—some play the aggressive enforcer threatening to call a tow truck, while others quietly hint that a bribe (usually $20-$30) can make the problem disappear. Meanwhile, the legitimate fine could be nearly $60; a tow truck would escalate costs to absurd levels.
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Whichever team is playing good cop subtly start soliciting for the bribe & wovabvunza kuti where is the tout that was washing the car why didn’t you apprehend him? You are then told the tout is your guy but atiza & the bad cop team is now on the chi over over vakutodeedza the council tow-truck, now because you are already done with your business in town you are now debating should i succumb to the $20-$30 bribe ?
Many will opt for bribes because they save money and time. According to the post, many officials pocket over $100 a day from bribes.
Hotspots for Parking Corruption in the CBD
Certain areas in Harare CBD have been named as notorious for these schemes by citizens and these are:
- Nelson Mandela Avenue: Between Julius Nyerere Way and 2nd Street, touts control parking bays, often leading to double or triple parking.
- 4th Street near ZANU-PF Youth Offices: From George Silundika to Robert Mugabe Way, touts dictate parking payments, leaving motorists with fake or invalid receipts.
A Broken System Designed to Exploit
Harare City Council appears more focused on generating revenue, as City parking officials are said to be given daily cash collection targets. Street-level officials reportedly then exploit loopholes and extort motorists just to meet targets. Meanwhile, touts, witnessing this corruption, have joined in, often working hand-in-hand with parking marshals.
Is There a Solution?
Until authorities implement transparency measures, such as digital payment systems, clear violation documentation, and lifestyle audits for officials, motorists will continue to fall victim to these schemes. For now, drivers must stay vigilant, refuse bribes, and demand accountability from those entrusted with maintaining order in the city.
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The post Harare CBD Parking Scams: How Some City Officials and Touts Exploit Motorists appeared first on iHarare News.
