Clamping marshals, waterlogged parking bays cause uproar

A week after heavy rains lashed Bulawayo, motorists are still grappling with large pools of stagnant water in parking areas, turning some spaces into muddy ponds and forcing drivers to step into dirty water when exiting their vehicles. Many have described the situation as unhygienic and hazardous. "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 struggling to find a dry parking spot along 4th Avenue, between Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Fort Street.

Frustration has been compounded by the continued clamping of vehicles by TTI marshals in affected areas, particularly where road markings are unclear or absent. Some motorists alleged that marshals target these areas without issuing warnings. Megan, a driver, recounted that a TTI officer claimed the spot near Jason Moyo and 4th Avenue was reserved for cyclists, yet the markings were invisible. "The marshal said vendors were supposed to warn drivers, yet he was standing just a few meters away waiting to clamp without even speaking to me," she said.

Motorists have accused TTI of treating unmarked parking areas as a "cash cow," alleging that 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," one driver said.

The City of Bulawayo dismissed the commission claims. Senior Corporate Communications Manager Nesisa Mpofu said parking marshals are mandated to ensure compliance with regulations, not motivated by commissions. She noted that some motorists become aggressive when caught violating parking rules, especially those who repeatedly fail to pay parking fees.

Addressing concerns over unclear markings, Mpofu said that the marking of parking bays is an ongoing process and that marshals are instructed not to clamp vehicles where 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 where vehicles should be parked. Motorists are encouraged to pay attention even to old parking markings," she said. Mpofu added that TTI staff are trained to assist motorists in parking properly, and the city continues to educate marshals on stakeholder engagement to improve public service. CCTV cameras have also been installed in some CBD streets to enhance accountability and security.

On the drainage challenges, Mpofu said the city centre has an underground drainage system designed to prevent flooding, but recent waterlogging has been worsened by littering and blockages, particularly from illegal informal sector operations. "Despite deploying teams and resources to clear the drainage system, continued littering worsens the situation during heavy rainfall," she said. Additional teams have been deployed to address the issue, and residents have been urged to practice good environmental stewardship.

As stagnant water continues to linger in the city centre, motorists remain frustrated with both the flooding and the perceived strict enforcement in areas where parking conditions are far from ideal.