Rude clamping marshalls, waterlogged parking bays cause uproar
A WEEK after heavy rains battered Bulawayo, motorists are still struggling with pools of stagnant water in parking bays in parts of the city.
Stagnant water has turned some parking spaces into muddy ponds, forcing drivers to step into dirty water when exiting their vehicles. Motorists said the situation is unhygienic and dangerous. “The water has been here since the rains stopped. You can’t even open your car door properly without stepping into dirty water,” said a motorist who was struggling to find a dry parking space along 4th Avenue, between Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Fort Street last Thursday.
Adding to the anger is the continued clamping of vehicles by TTI marshals in the affected areas. Several motorists questioned the motive behind clamping cars in zones where road markings are unclear or completely absent. “TTI officers target areas with no clear road markings. They don’t warn you, they just clamp,” said another motorist. A driver, who identified herself as Megan, alleged that a marshal told her vendors in the area were supposed to warn motorists not to park there, at Jason Moyo and 4th Avenue, where there are some grocery shops and a pharmacy. “TTI claim that it is a reserve parking for cyclists, but the markings are not visible at all. “The marshal said vendors warn drivers, yet he was standing just a few meters away waiting to clamp without even speaking to me,” she said.
Motorists believe unmarked parking areas have become a “cash cow” for TTI, alleging that some officers are paid on commission based on the number of vehicles clamped. “The issue of commission puts pressure on them. That’s why some end up being rude and aggressive towards motorists,” said a driver.
The city of Bulawayo dismissed claims that TTI marshals are paid on commission. Senior Corporate Communications Manager Nesisa Mpofu said parking marshals are not motivated by commission but are mandated to ensure compliance with parking regulations.
“The City of Bulawayo dismisses the claim that TTI marshals are paid on commission. Their operational duties are not motivated by any commission but are intended to ensure compliance with parking regulations,” said Mpofu.
She said the city has noted with concern that some motorists become aggressive when found violating parking regulations, particularly those who repeatedly fail to pay parking fees. On concerns regarding unclear road markings, Mpofu said the marking of parking bays is an ongoing process and that marshals are instructed not to clamp vehicles where parking lines are not clearly visible.
“Most areas still have indications of bay sizes at the front and end of the bays, which inform both motorists and enforcers of where vehicles should be parked. Motorists are encouraged to pay attention even to old parking markings,” she said.
Mpofu said TTI staff are encouraged to assist motorists in parking properly and that the City continues to educate marshals on stakeholder engagement to improve public service. She said the partnership between the city and TTI has brought order to the CBD, with CCTV cameras installed in some streets to enhance accountability and security.
On the drainage concerns, Mpofu said the city centre has an underground drainage system designed to prevent flooding. She attributed the recent waterlogging to increased littering and blockage of drains, particularly by illegal informal sector operators.
“The Municipality has noted with concern increased littering and blockage of the drainage system. Despite deploying teams and resources to clear the drainage system, continued littering worsens the situation during heavy rainfall,” Mpofu said.
She said additional teams have been deployed to address the prevailing challenges and urged residents and stakeholders to practice good environmental stewardship. As stagnant water continues to linger in the city centre, motorists say. B-Metro
