Motorists accuse TTI of selective, harsh enforcement

Motorists in Bulawayo have intensified complaints against Tendy Three Investments (TTI), the company contracted by the City of Bulawayo to manage parking, accusing it of harsh, selective and insensitive enforcement of parking regulations, particularly against vehicles conducting official government business in the central business district (CBD).

The latest incident occurred on Friday morning outside the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) offices along 8th Avenue, where a truck was clamped while undergoing mandatory physical inspections.

One of the affected motorists, Mr Wallace Mahlangu, said he was shocked by how TTI workers handled the situation after his truck was clamped despite prior assurances from Zimra officials.

"I took my truck, which has two long trailers, for physical inspection at Zimra offices located in the CBD," Mahlangu said. "Before that, I asked Zimra officials whether the vehicle wouldn't be clamped by TTI workers, and I was assured that it wouldn't happen."

He said shortly after parking the truck just before 8am, TTI officers clamped the vehicle without listening to his explanation.

"TTI workers showed no interest in hearing my side of the story; they just clamped it, saying they were acting on instructions from their bosses," Mahlangu said. "This happened in full view of Zimra officials, who were very professional in how they attended to me."

Mahlangu described the incident as embarrassing and disruptive, especially as he was complying with official government requirements.

After the clamping, he was issued with a US$40 ticket and went to TTI offices to pay the fine and seek clarity from senior officials.

"I waited for more than 30 minutes to see top officials and eventually paid the fine," he said. "To my surprise, I was then told that for trucks such as mine, the fine is actually US$100."

Although the US$40 was later refunded, Mahlangu said the experience left him questioning the consistency and fairness of TTI's operations.

"What baffled me is the treatment that TTI is subjecting motorists to," he said. "I was acting on instructions from an arm of government. Zimra officials regularly inspect vehicles at the very spot where I parked."

He also questioned what he described as selective enforcement of parking regulations in the city.

"At the marketplace along Fifth Avenue, there are trucks that appear to be permanently parked there. Why is TTI not clamping those trucks?" Mahlangu asked.

"To me, this is a partisan application of the law. I feel victimised and treated as a second-class citizen compared to those who park illegally without consequence."

Contacted for comment, TTI official Mr Bongani Nyathi confirmed the incident.

"I heard of the issue. It was the first time seeing such a huge truck parked outside Zimra offices, and there was no arrangement made between Zimra and us," Nyathi said.

"Our officers in the clamping department did their job and have no authority to release a vehicle — that is the responsibility of the release section," he added.

Nyathi said TTI contacted Zimra and was informed that no prior arrangement had been made to allow the truck to park at the site.

"However, the motorist was refunded," he said.

The incident has reignited debate among Bulawayo motorists and transport operators, many of whom accuse TTI of randomly clamping vehicles while ignoring other apparent violations in the city.

In previous complaints, motorists have called on the Bulawayo City Council to urgently review the conduct of its parking management contractor and ensure that enforcement of by-laws is fair, transparent and considerate, particularly in cases involving vehicles parked for official government business.