Zanu-PF govt engages BCC over TTI

The Government has stepped in to address the growing concerns regarding the conduct of Tendy Three Investments (TTI), the parking management company contracted by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), following a surge of complaints from the motoring public. These complaints revolve around the behaviour of TTI marshals, who have been accused of rowdy, unprofessional conduct, and a lack of basic etiquette in their interactions with drivers.

Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, confirmed the Government's intervention, revealing plans for a comprehensive stakeholder engagement to address the ongoing issues. In a recent interview with Sunday News, Minister Garwe stated, "We need to have a stakeholder engagement. This meeting will involve private sector players in parking management, the local authority (Bulawayo City Council), our Ministry, and representatives from residents' associations. We will look at the issues, interrogate them, and proffer solutions before the end of the year."

Garwe emphasized that the goal is to foster a harmonious working relationship among all stakeholders to avoid a situation where one party feels harassed or mistreated. His comments come as tensions between TTI and the motoring public have intensified, with calls for more oversight and regulation of the parking management system.

The issues raised by the Bulawayo public are not isolated. Similar allegations have surfaced in Harare, where City Parking Private Limited, a subsidiary of the City of Harare, has also faced accusations of misconduct.

In Bulawayo, recent events have escalated tensions, particularly following an incident where a diabetic motorist, feeling faint and fearing he could cause an accident, temporarily stopped at a no-parking zone. His vehicle was clamped, leading to widespread outrage. The incident prompted an investigation by the BCC, with Mayor David Coltart denouncing the behaviour of the TTI marshals as "unacceptable."

In a joint effort to address the rising dissatisfaction, Mayor Coltart and Town Clerk, Mr. Christopher Dube, met with TTI senior management to discuss the ongoing complaints. In a statement following the meeting, Dube outlined key issues, including the conduct of TTI staff and the response times for cases involving elderly, disabled, and ill motorists whose vehicles had been clamped.

"The Mayor emphasized the need to ensure that the dignity of the motorists and the value of fair treatment were upheld at all times in parking management," Dube said. "There was a strong emphasis on ensuring that the parking project and the implementation of the by-laws were done in a fair and non-discriminatory manner across the city."

One of the significant outcomes of the meeting was the agreement to introduce a Complaints and Grievance Handling mechanism. This new system aims to streamline the process for addressing parking-related complaints and will allow residents and motorists to formally voice their concerns. Additionally, an independent ombudsman will be appointed to investigate more serious complaints and ensure accountability.

Public discontent with TTI has been mounting, with many motorists expressing frustration over the treatment they have received. There have been numerous reports of individuals having their vehicles clamped for relatively small unpaid fines, such as US$5 tickets. In response to public pressure, TTI made the decision to dismiss over 200 employees last December for indiscriminate clamping and violating company policies. However, the public's frustration persists, with several individuals taking legal action against TTI, and some of the cases resulting in favorable outcomes for the complainants.

Despite previous efforts, including meetings between TTI and BCC to improve parking enforcement and discussions about better implementation of by-laws, public discontent has continued. In an attempt to enhance parking management, BCC has also introduced a camera surveillance initiative to boost safety and improve parking practices in the city.

The Government's intervention, alongside the newly approved clamping and tow-away by-laws passed last November, aims to strike a balance between enforcing regulations and ensuring respectful treatment of motorists. The upcoming stakeholder meeting is expected to play a crucial role in restoring trust and cooperation between TTI, the local authorities, and the motoring public.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will result in lasting improvements and a more professional and respectful parking management system in Bulawayo.