Bulawayo parking firm Boss arrives at City Hall in US$400 000 Rolls Royce! The city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is embroiled in a heated debate over the management of its parking system after Lizwe Mabuza, the chairman of Tendy Tree Investments (TTI), arrived at City Hall in a Rolls Royce Cullinan valued at US$400,000.
The luxury vehicle, which bore a personalized UK licence plate, stirred outrage among residents who question the fairness and accountability of the TTI contract with the City of Bulawayo.
A Controversial Partnership: City of Bulawayo and TTI
Tendy Tree Investments, the company managing Bulawayo’s parking system, operates under a six-year contract signed in 2020 and set to run until December 2027. Under the terms of this contract, TTI retains 70% of the revenue from parking fees, clamping fees, and vehicle storage charges, while the City of Bulawayo receives the remaining 30%.
From January to May 2024, TTI remitted over US$1.5 million to the city, with their share surpassing double the city’s portion—a point of contention that has fueled public dissatisfaction.
Public Reaction to Mabuza’s Luxury Car Arrival
Mabuza’s choice to arrive at City Hall in a high-priced Rolls Royce has further inflamed community sentiment against TTI. The lavish display left city officials and councillors stunned, with many describing it as “tone-deaf” given the widespread discontent surrounding TTI’s parking fee management.
A city councillor, speaking to ZimLive, expressed concern, noting, “It’s us as councillors who’re keeping the mob at bay, for now. TTI is the most unpopular company in this city, and this obscene display of wealth…is adding fuel to a raging fire.”
Calls for Contract Cancellation and Claims of Favoritism
Many Bulawayo residents are calling for the termination of TTI’s contract, citing high fees and allegations of unprofessional conduct.
The initial backlash against TTI began when the company implemented a US$1 fee for just 30 minutes of parking in the Central Business District (CBD). After intense public outcry, the company adjusted the fee to allow one hour of parking for the same price. Despite this concession, TTI remains highly criticized, with residents accusing the company of mistreating the elderly and using aggressive tactics to clamp vehicles to meet revenue goals.
The city’s administration has also come under scrutiny. Some council members have alleged that TTI has become overly influential within City Hall, suggesting that senior city officials might be working to protect the company’s interests. This perception of favoritism has added to the calls for transparency and reevaluation of the TTI contract.
The Role of Bulawayo’s Mayor and Local Government Officials
During his campaign, Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart had promised to review the TTI contract, signaling that he would prioritize fair and affordable parking for the city’s residents. However, since taking office, he has been notably quiet on the issue, leaving some to question his commitment to fulfilling this promise.
With increasing public demands to address the TTI controversy, many are looking to Coltart and other local leaders for action.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development has also weighed in on urban transportation and revenue management issues across Zimbabwe, raising broader concerns about city partnerships with private companies like TTI.
TTI’s Revenue Targets and Public Concerns
TTI’s revenue-sharing agreement with the city has led some to question if the company’s methods are financially motivated rather than service-oriented.
TTI employees have faced multiple accusations from residents who say the workers are quick to clamp cars and impose penalties, even under questionable circumstances. This approach has especially affected elderly residents, who claim they’ve been treated harshly during enforcement efforts.
In response, TTI maintains that its parking fees are necessary to cover operational costs and to help develop Bulawayo’s infrastructure. However, the public perception that TTI prioritizes profit over fair treatment has eroded community trust, with some suggesting that the city explore alternative models for managing parking revenue without outsourcing to a private company.
Future of Parking Management in Bulawayo
The controversy surrounding TTI underscores the complexities and challenges of public-private partnerships in managing essential city services.
With mounting calls for transparency, accountability, and possibly even the cancellation of TTI’s contract, local government officials may be forced to act. This could involve renegotiating the contract terms, establishing clearer guidelines on vehicle clamping and fee collection, or reintroducing municipal control over the parking system.
As of now, the residents of Bulawayo await responses from Mayor Coltart and other officials on whether they will address these issues and take steps to make parking in the city fairer and more accessible for all.
