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Bulawayo parking firm boss rolls into City Hall in US$400k Rolls Royce
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Lizwe Mabuza, the chairman of Tendy Tree Investments (TTI), the company managing Bulawayo's paid parking, arrived at City Hall in a US$400,000 Rolls Royce Cullinan last week, prompting a wave of public discontent over the company's lucrative contract with the city.
Mabuza's luxury vehicle, displaying a personalised United Kingdom license plate (LC), is suspected to have been recently imported. This conspicuous display of wealth has ignited anger among Bulawayo residents, many of whom are already frustrated with TTI's dominance over parking revenues in the city.
Under the terms of the contract, TTI retains 70 percent of parking revenue, while Bulawayo City Council (BCC) collects the remaining 30 percent. Signed in 2020, the six-year agreement only took effect in January 2022 and includes a possible four-year extension.
The city's residents, however, have been increasingly vocal in their opposition. The contract terms and TTI's management style - particularly the initial pricing of US$1 for just 30 minutes of parking - sparked outcry, leading the company to later adjust this rate to US$1 per hour. Despite the price adjustment, resentment has continued to mount, with accusations of mistreatment by TTI employees, especially toward senior citizens, and overly aggressive vehicle clamping practices.
"This Rolls Royce appearance at City Hall felt like a taunt to the residents. As councillors, we're trying to manage the backlash, but this kind of display isn't helping," one council member told ZimLive, speaking on condition of anonymity. The councillor added that TTI's presence has become so ingrained within city operations that some officials feel powerless to challenge the company's actions.
In a report issued by the city in August, TTI's remittance to the council totaled just over US$1.5 million from parking, clamping, and storage fees collected between January 1 and May 31 of this year. With TTI's share of the revenue over twice what the council received, critics argue that the revenue-sharing arrangement is disproportionately favorable to the company.
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, who campaigned on a platform that included reevaluating the TTI contract, has yet to take any significant steps to review or renegotiate it. Meanwhile, as discontent simmers, residents and officials alike are left questioning the true cost of the city's lucrative parking deal.
Mabuza's luxury vehicle, displaying a personalised United Kingdom license plate (LC), is suspected to have been recently imported. This conspicuous display of wealth has ignited anger among Bulawayo residents, many of whom are already frustrated with TTI's dominance over parking revenues in the city.
Under the terms of the contract, TTI retains 70 percent of parking revenue, while Bulawayo City Council (BCC) collects the remaining 30 percent. Signed in 2020, the six-year agreement only took effect in January 2022 and includes a possible four-year extension.
"This Rolls Royce appearance at City Hall felt like a taunt to the residents. As councillors, we're trying to manage the backlash, but this kind of display isn't helping," one council member told ZimLive, speaking on condition of anonymity. The councillor added that TTI's presence has become so ingrained within city operations that some officials feel powerless to challenge the company's actions.
In a report issued by the city in August, TTI's remittance to the council totaled just over US$1.5 million from parking, clamping, and storage fees collected between January 1 and May 31 of this year. With TTI's share of the revenue over twice what the council received, critics argue that the revenue-sharing arrangement is disproportionately favorable to the company.
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, who campaigned on a platform that included reevaluating the TTI contract, has yet to take any significant steps to review or renegotiate it. Meanwhile, as discontent simmers, residents and officials alike are left questioning the true cost of the city's lucrative parking deal.
Source - zimlive
