It seems Harare City Council finally caved into the demands of motorists who were incensed by the council’s clamping policy. Harare City Council has recently announced a reduction in parking fines for motorists. According to a Facebook update from the council, motorists will now be charged $57 for parking offences, with the clamping charge of $65 delayed by up to three hours. Mayor Cllr Jacob Mafume made the announcement during a Special Council Meeting.
The new system means that if a vehicle is clamped, the motorist has three hours to pay the $57 penalty fee. After three hours, the motorist will be charged the $65 clamping and towing fine. Additionally, if a motorist exceeds their booked time by more than 30 minutes, they will also be fined.
Mayor Mafume has also stated that the Finance and Development Committee has been instructed to begin the process of reducing fines further. This move is aimed at making parking fees more affordable for motorists in the city.
If you’re a motorist in Harare, here’s what you need to know about the new parking fee system.
What Are the Changes to Parking Fees in Harare?
Under the new system, motorists will be charged a penalty fee of $57 for any parking offence, regardless of the severity of the offence. If a vehicle is clamped, the motorist will have three hours to pay the penalty fee. If the fee is not paid within this time frame, the motorist will be charged the full clamping and towing fine of $65.
Furthermore, motorists who exceed their booked time by more than 30 minutes will also be fined. This means that if you book a parking spot for an hour and exceed that time by 30 minutes, you will be fined.
Why Has the Harare City Council Reduced Parking Fines?
The decision to reduce parking finess in Harare is aimed at making parking more affordable for motorists in the city. Harare has seen an increase in the number of parking fines issued in recent years, which has been a burden on motorists.
Reducing fines will not only make parking more affordable, but it will also encourage more people to use public parking spaces rather than risking fines by parking illegally. This move is expected to increase revenue for the council in the long run, as more people are likely to use public parking spaces.
What Do the Changes Mean for Motorists?
For motorists, parking fee changes mean they will pay less for parking offences in Harare. The $57 penalty fee is a flat rate, which means that motorists will pay the same fee regardless of the severity of the offence.
However, motorists should be aware that they have a three-hour window to pay the penalty fee. If they fail to pay within this time frame, they will be charged the full clamping and towing fine of $65.
Additionally, motorists who exceed their booked time by more than 30 minutes will also be fined. This means that it is important to keep track of your parking time and ensure that you move your vehicle before the time is up.
How Will the Changes be Implemented?
The changes to parking fees in Harare will be implemented by the Harare City Council. The council has instructed the Finance and Development Committee to begin the process of reducing fines further, which means that there may be more changes to parking fees in the future.
Motorists should keep an eye on the Harare City Council’s social media channels and website for updates on any changes to parking fees. It is also important to read and understand the parking regulations in the city to avoid fines.
Conclusion
The reduction in parking fines in Harare is a welcome move for motorists in the city. The flat rate penalty fee of $57 means that motorists will pay less for parking offences, and the three-hour window to pay the fee provides some flexibility.
However, motorists should still make sure that they pay their parking fees to avoid clamping.
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