Harare City Council, please mind your own business

Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba

Your Money, Your Call

THE City of Harare recently hinted on plans to introduce parking fees at popular hangout joints dotted around the capital, which naturally set tongues wagging.

Imagine driving to a place like KwaMereki (Warren Park), KwaFatso (Glen Norah), K6 (Kuwadzana) or even PaHuku (Hillside) and being greeted by a city parking official demanding your hard-earned moolah?

Well, not just that.

Obviously, people who frequent such joints will be up for some quality time, away from the usual hustle and bustle of the central business district (CBD).

The objective will be to have fun, and settling parking fees is the least they will think of once they get into the groove.

Now, imagine what will happen when a pleasure-seeker’s car is clamped for one reason or the other?

I will not bother you with finer details of the chaos that will likely ensue.

But all I can say is, while this seems like a good revenue-generation strategy for the council, it will likely backfire in a spectacular way.

Parking fees will definitely drive away customers at the affected joints.

Every cent counts during a leisure outing.

And no person would be amused to have their car clamped while they are having some fun.

Businesses thrive on positive customer experiences.

When a joint becomes an inconvenience, customers will not return.

But by proposing such an outrageous move, the council has shown that it prioritises revenue over the community’s well-being.

Leisure is a necessary part of life and should be achieved at minimal costs possible.

The danger of driving people away from their favourite joints is that some will end up meeting at inappropriate places, thereby creating fresh challenges for the local authorities.

The current CBD parking system already frustrates motorists.

For instance, one is forced to pay a full sum of US$1 (or equivalent) for an hour of parking, even when they intend to use the space for a few minutes.

Also, this move is sure to attract touts, as is the case in the CBD.

Several streets have city parking officials but touts also demand money for certain parking spaces.

What is disturbing though is the fact that the council is bent on making ratepayers suffer through paying for poor or non-existent services.

The local authority currently collects revenue from businesses through licence fees and monthly rates but it rarely, if ever it does, use the funds to spruce up the places or develop proper parking facilities.

The parking fee revenue collected in the CBD and surrounding areas has not been used to improve roads.

The road rehabilitation currently underway in the city is being funded by the Government.

The council should simply leverage on existing revenue streams to enhance infrastructure, not burden residents and business. To improve the current system, tailored parking fees based on demand and time of day should be introduced.

They could charge more during peak hours to manage congestion.

There is also a need to make use of public-private partnerships.

Such arrangements allow them to collaborate with private companies to develop parking infrastructure without necessarily burdening consumers.

In return, businesses benefit from improved access and customer satisfaction.

Above all, before making any binding decisions, the council should engage the community for possible solutions.

A transparent process fosters trust and ensures that policies align with community needs. Harare’s proposal to impose parking fees at hangouts risks alienating customers and crippling businesses.

Let us prioritise community well-being over short-term gains, ensuring that Harare remains a vibrant and welcoming city for all.

Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba is a marketing consultant with a strong passion for customer experience. For comments, suggestions and trainings, she can be reached at: [email protected], +263712979461, 0719978335, 0772978335