Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
Bulawayo City Council has tightened screws on traffic offenders following the approval of its new by-laws by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde Ignatius Chombo.The new by-laws give the local authority power to clamp and tow away vehicles that violate the city’s traffic regulations.
In terms of section 229 of the Urban Councils Act, Chapter 29:15, Minister Chombo approved by-laws made by the city council which include Statutory Instrument 63 of 2015. Statutory Instrument 63 of 2015 allows council to clamp and tow away errant vehicles.
In a statement yesterday, Bulawayo City Council’s senior public relations officer, Nesisa Mpofu, said motorists should be aware of the new changes that will see municipal police clamping cars. She said in the event of non-payment of relevant fees, offending vehicles would be towed away for violating the city’s traffic by-laws.
“The public is requested to note the various changes that are made on the by-laws to avoid any inconvenience detailed as wheel clamping and tow away. Any authorised person may effect the clamping or towing away, if he or she has reason to believe that a violation of traffic by-laws referred to in the schedule has been committed,” she said.
Mpofu said under the new by-laws, the local authority can now immobilise or cause such motor vehicle to be immobilised by way of a wheel clamp.
“If the motor vehicle has not been claimed and the relevant charges incidental thereto paid, we’ll subsequently remove and tow away the motor vehicle to a secure compound after a period of at least two hours has lapsed,” she said.
Mpofu said where the motor vehicle is obstructing traffic, an authorised person may not clamp the vehicle first but shall immediately remove and tow away the motor vehicle to a secure compound.
“A motor vehicle removed to a secure compound shall be released upon payment by the owner of such motor vehicle of the prescribed fine and wheel clamping, tow away and storage charges,” she said.
In the event that some vehicles are not claimed, the local authority shall publish in any newspaper circulating within the council area a list of vehicles immobilised and advise the owners to claim the vehicles within a period of 30 days.
Council shall sell by public auction any vehicle that remains unclaimed 30 days after a notice has been published.
Mpofu said traffic offences include boarding and offloading at undesignated zones which attract a $5 fine. Parking a motor vehicle during normal working hours without displaying a valid pre-paid parking disc which attracts a $10 penalty.
Throwing litter out of a motor vehicle attracts a fine of $5 while a taxi that carries more than three passengers at the back seat will be fined $5 per extra passenger.
“Members of the public are hereby advised to avoid inconveniences by abiding by the by-laws and displaying valid pre-paid parking discs,” said Mpofu.