Zimbabwean MPs Granted Free Parking in Harare CBD Amid Public Outcry

Members of Parliament in Zimbabwe will no longer be required to pay parking fees in Harare’s Central Business District (CBD) following an agreement between Parliament and City Parking, the entity responsible for collecting parking fees on behalf of the City of Harare.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, announced the new arrangement, stating that each MP is now entitled to free parking for two vehicles in the CBD. He urged legislators to submit their vehicle registration details to Parliament’s Human Capital Department to finalize the process.

With over 200 MPs in Zimbabwe, this exemption means they will park for free while ordinary citizens continue to pay US$1 per hour for parking in the same area.

The decision has sparked criticism, with award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono weighing in on the matter. He argued that politics in Zimbabwe has become a business venture, where both ruling and opposition parties prioritize their own benefits once elected.

Chin’ono expressed concern over political illiteracy among citizens, suggesting that many people remain loyal to politicians who fail to address critical national issues, such as the struggling healthcare system.

What are your thoughts on this decision? Should MPs be exempt from parking fees while the public continues to pay?

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