Kwekwe City Council has distanced itself from an entity known as “Kwekwe City Parking”, which collects parking fees from motorists in the city’s central business district, sparking controversy and confusion among residents. residents. The conflict erupted when commissioners, allegedly representing the council, were seen stationed on street corners demanding fees from unsuspecting motorists. The sudden appearance of the commissioners, without prior public announcement or explanation from the council, led many residents to question the legitimacy of the parking fee system.

While some residents expressed support for structured parking services, they criticized heavy-handed implementation and lack of transparency, calling for better communication from local authorities. In response to the situation, local resident Mr Tafadzwa Gambiza filed an application in court seeking to cancel the council’s parking services, naming both Kwekwe Town Council and the so-called Town Parking Company of Kwekwe as defendants. Mr Gambiza argued the council’s actions violated local bylaws, saying Kwekwe town parking did not exist legally.

Council denies connection to Kwekwe town car park

In an affidavit filed through her lawyer, Kwekwe Municipal Clerk Dr Lucia Mnkandla vehemently denied any association with Kwekwe City Parking, stating that it was not a legal entity recorded. Dr Mnkandla further argued that Mr Gambiza had no basis to justify his case as he had not raised any objections during the council’s budget process, which included provisions for parking charges.

“There is no legal entity named after the second respondent. Even in the founding affidavit, the applicant did not state why the second respondent was named,” Dr Mnkandla said, stressing that the city had complied with all requirements procedural and had requested a public hearing. objections during budget consultations. She suggested any concerns about the parking charge system should have been addressed at this stage.

Legal proceedings and legal frustrations

Magistrate Mr Itai Kagwere, who reviewed Mr Gambiza’s case, expressed frustration at the lack of clarity surrounding the parking system. He questioned the council’s position, noting that commissioners had been collecting fees since August 2024, despite council’s denial of any involvement in Kwekwe Town parking.

“The town is full of commissioners posing as Kwekwe Town car park officials,” Magistrate Kagwere said, highlighting residents’ concerns over the behavior of commissioners, who allegedly demanded fees in unmarked areas. He also criticized their intimidating behavior, which he said was inconsistent with standard parking practices, such as paid parking.

Magistrate Kagwere suggested that Dr Mnkandla should have provided clarification on the matter rather than denying the existence of the marshals. He expressed frustration with the growing number of commissioners “coming out of nowhere,” calling for more transparency from the board. However, due to jurisdictional constraints imposed by the Administrative Justice Act, he referred the matter to the High Court for further consideration.

Public outcry and calls for accountability

The matter has attracted public attention, with many Kwekwe residents expressing concerns about the lack of clear communication and accountability in the council’s handling of parking charges. Confusion over the legitimacy of the parking system, coupled with the behavior of commissioners, has only intensified frustrations over service delivery in the city.

As the legal battle heads to the High Court, the legitimacy of the parking charge collection system and the council’s role in the initiative will come under scrutiny. Residents are calling for a transparent process and a more responsible approach to municipal initiatives, particularly when it comes to public services like parking.

The ongoing legal dispute highlights the need for greater clarity and communication from local authorities on initiatives that directly impact residents. While the High Court is set to review the case, it remains to be seen whether the council will be held accountable for the commissioners’ actions and whether the parking fee system will be maintained or scrapped altogether.