Drama as kombi driver removes wheels from clamped vehicle

A DARING motorist in Gweru who had his vehicle clamped by the city council's clamping team shocked onlookers when he removed the two wheels from the left side of his passenger carrying vehicle to prevent his car being towed away.

The drama occurred in the Gweru CBD on Thursday afternoon.

According to the man, Brian Nheweyembwa, 35, of Guinea Fowl, his car, a Mazda Bongo kombi, was clamped while parked in front of his shop in the city centre.

"I briefly parked my car in front of the complex where I run a small shop that deals with electronics intending to pick up a crate of soft drinks. When I came out, I was surprised to find my vehicle clamped.

"I removed the tyres because I wanted to use them on my other car that had flat tyres at home. Even if my car has been clamped, I still need to work and fend for my family," said Nheweyembwa who is popularly known in the city as "Madzibaba".

Nheweyembwa was briefly arrested by police and taken to Gweru Central Police but was released without being charged.
The incident comes at a time when the city council has intensified its clamping operations in the CBD.

Motorists have been complaining about the clamping operation which they have described as chaotic.
"Those people clamp cars and charge us exorbitantly despite the fact the there are no clear marked clamping zones in the CBD," fumed a driver who refused to be named.

Contacted for comment, assistant Town clerk, Tapiwa Marerwa said  Nheweyembwa's action was unlawful and a breach of the city's by-laws.

"It is illegal to immobilise a vehicle for purposes of defeating the law. It is a crime that attracts a heavy penalty. Motorists should follow council by-laws since the whole exercise is meant to benefit them by decongesting the city CBD," he said.