‘The Law Is Being Reviewed’ – Harare Mayor Explains Why Parking Fees Are Still US$1 Despite Govt Directive For 50 Cents

Government Slashes Parking Fees To 50 Cents But Harare Continues Charging US$1

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has told angry motorists that the city cannot immediately implement the new 50-cent per hour parking fee because “the law is being reviewed, even though a Government directive slashing the rate from US$1 took effect three days ago.

Statutory Instrument 41 of 2026, which was gazetted on March 2, 2026, caps parking fees across all urban and rural local authorities at US$0,50 per hour. The instrument forms part of the Second Republic’s broader ‘Ease of Doing Business’ reforms, which aim to reduce compliance costs for citizens and businesses. Despite the directive taking immediate effect, motorists in the central business district have continued to be charged the old rate of US$1.

In response to queries from the public on social media platform X, Mayor Mafume explained the council’s position.

“The Law is being reviewed and will be implemented once the technical issues around it are dealt with,” the Mayor posted. “We creatures of statute once its done in manner which stands the test of the law and adopted by council it will be implemented in the form that it eventually comes.”

Public Accuses Council Of Deliberate Delays

The Mayor’s remarks have drawn sharp rebukes from residents, who accuse the council of deliberately delaying the reduction while it would have acted swiftly had the fees been increased. Many have demanded refunds for the excess payments made since the SI took effect.

One user, Rubes, fired back at the Mayor, saying,

“If twas a raise, you would hv attended to it prior! Notice yaizobuda matokwidza kare Mayor!”

This was echoed by another user, T2P, who posted,

“We all know if it was an INCREASE you would have implemented it within a few hours of the SI being issued.”

Sly questioned the council directly, asking,

“Will you refund us the monies? Why didn’t you put a plan in motion when it was first announced? For how long will be illegally paying this? Why is it difficult to just change price in a billing system?”

Another user, Munaishe, captured the prevailing sentiment, posting,

“Problem with Zimbabwe is if the rates were increased to $5 the hour, it was mentioned we would have seen the new changes effected there and then, but because it’s downward, they will throw legalities and big words.”

Residents Question Council’s Commitment To Compliance

The delay in implementing the new parking fees has reignited debates about local authority accountability and the relationship between central Government directives and municipal by-laws. Many residents have taken to social media to question why the council believes it has the authority to delay an SI that took effect nationally.

Hunter Boy posed a direct question to the Mayor, asking,

“Is your job to review the law or you must implement the law?”

Another user, DENIS, suggested that motorists should take matters into their own hands, posting,

“People must just refuse to pay until technical issues are sorted. It’s unlawful to pay more than required. You won’t even refund people their money.”

The Government has maintained that the rationalisation of fees across sectors is central to fostering a conducive environment for business growth and investment attraction in line with Vision 2030. Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube recently told stakeholders that Cabinet has approved reforms in five out of 12 targeted sectors, with the remainder expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.

As the standoff continues, residents are calling on the City of Harare to either implement the new fees immediately or cease collections until compliance is achieved. The council has yet to indicate when the “technical issues” will be resolved.