Bulawayo City Council’s Midnight Raids Leave Motorists Fuming

By Farai D Hove | ZimEye | Bulawayo residents woke up to shocking news this week as dozens of vehicles were towed away in surprise midnight raids by the city council. The operation, carried out over several nights, targeted cars parked in “undesignated areas,” sparking outrage among affected vehicle owners who were caught off guard.

The blitz, which began in suburbs such as New Magwegwe, later shifted to Nketa, Emganwini, and Nkulumane, and has left residents scrambling to recover their impounded vehicles. The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) said the operation is part of a long-standing effort to enforce by-laws on improper parking, which prohibit vehicles from being parked outside car parks overnight.

Midnight Raids and Growing Frustration

Motorists described waking up to find their cars missing, only to learn they had been towed to the city council’s impound yard along Khami Road. According to a BCC security official, at least 35 vehicles were impounded in a single night.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, defended the surprise raids, stating, “The council will not give notices when enforcing standing by-laws. Notices are only issued when a by-law is new. We encourage residents to abide by city regulations to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law.”

However, residents have expressed anger over the lack of prior communication, with some accusing the council of being heavy-handed.

Impact on Motorists and Businesses

Vehicle owners parked near shopping centres, fuel stations, and outside designated car park fences were among the hardest hit.

Dumisani Mlilo, a resident whose car was impounded early Monday morning, said he was left in the dark about the process. “My car is being held at the impound yard, but I have no idea how much the council will charge to release it,” he said.

For car park operators like Mr. Moxen Moyo of Nketa 6, the raids have brought mixed reactions. While he acknowledged that the enforcement might redirect more vehicles to his registered car park, he criticized vehicle owners who opt for cheaper alternatives. “Some have been parking at a nearby fuel station for R10 instead of paying US$1 at our authorized facility,” he said.

By-Laws Under Scrutiny

The BCC cited long-standing by-laws to justify the operation, explaining that vehicles parked outside designated areas, as well as those unlicensed, dirty, or with punctured tires, are subject to removal at the owner’s expense.

In addition to towing, the council imposes fines on violators and impounds pushcarts in the central business district. A published list of immobilized vehicles is made available to owners, who have 30 days to claim them before they are auctioned off.

But critics argue the council’s methods are punitive rather than preventative. Many residents feel the lack of clear communication and the nocturnal timing of the raids make it impossible for people to comply voluntarily.

What’s Next?

As residents scramble to recover their vehicles, the city council insists it will continue enforcing by-laws without prior notice. The crackdown has reignited debates about urban planning, transparency, and the need for adequate parking facilities in Bulawayo’s suburbs.

For now, motorists are advised to park only in designated areas or risk waking up to find their vehicles gone—a stark reminder of the council’s unyielding approach to law enforcement.