Byo’s TTI parking deal nets under US$600k amid growing calls for transparency

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s partnership with parking management company, Tendy Three Investments (TTI), generated just under US$600 000 from parking fees and vehicle clamping between January and August this year, although concerns over transparency and accountability continue to linger.

As BCC presented its proposed 2026 budget this week, attention also turned to its public-private partnership with TTI, which oversees parking operations across the city.

While hundreds of thousands of dollars have flowed in, residents and commentators are questioning how much value the city actually derives and whether accountability is keeping pace.

During the budget presentation on Tuesday, Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Councillor Dumisani Nkomo, disclosed that from January to August 31, 2025, BCC recorded income from parking operations amounting to US$558 336, R140 398, Pula 8 107 and ZiG5 267 286 under its partnership with TTI.

To date, 6 978 parking bays have been marked under this scheme.

Nkomo cited the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15), Sections 189–190 as legal guidance for usage of parking fees.

Last year, as of August 2024, BCC reported it had received US$612 517, R281 466, Pula 4 695  and ZiG1 673 421 in parking revenues with over 5 200 bays marked under TTI’s management.

On February 18, 2022, BCC and TTI introduced and commenced the parking management system in Bulawayo, under a Build and Operate Transfer facility (BOT) partnership, crafted in such a way that TTI pockets 70 percent of the revenue while remitting 30 percent to the council.

Yet dissent continues growing among residents, who question whether the partnership delivers its promised return.

In WhatsApp groups and neighbourhood forums, many have voiced frustration:

“What will it transfer to the city council after its contract expires? The obvious answer is more potholed streets and parking lanes. Where are the promised monitoring cameras in the city centre?”

“TTI is a money-making venture for cleptomaniacs.”

“The public needs to know how much is collected by TTI. US$1 per hour × hours × number of cars adds up to millions monthly – where is that money going? What proportion is used to make roads passable?”

“We still have high road accidents despite all this revenue. If parking fees are so lucrative, why not fund road safety properly?”

“They collect billions from citizens already burdened. If parking infringement is minimum $40  calculate how much daily from fees and other charges. They should be funding full road revamps.”

Some communities even call TTI’s revenue model exploitative while political parties such as  ZAPU have petitioned council and other groupings urging the council to terminate the agreement and revert to older parking operations. 

At the same time, the partnership has drawn some praise as TTI and BCC say they have created employment for 400 youths, mostly young women, as part of their inclusive development narrative. 

Meanwhile, other media reports said TTI is facing financial strain as in 2024, the company claimed it was operating at a loss and suggested floating or reversing the revenue share to 70:30 in favour of BCC, shifting operational costs to the council.

Council officials, for their part, acknowledge the controversy but defend the project’s utility.

Cllr Nkomo said the funds raised have gone directly toward expanding the parking bay infrastructure while parking proceeds will also fund projects.

“The capital budget for 2026 is projected at US$67,215 million. The Projects will be funded from External Own Resources, ZINARA funding, Devolution funds, Grants, Donations, Public subscriptions (Presale scheme) in various suburbs. Traditional Beer levy, Public Private Partnerships and City Parking -TTI,” said the chairperson of the finance committee at the council chambers.

However, critics say they want audits, published fee collection data, and clearer disclosures of TTI’s operational costs.

Residents also note that improved parking feels superficial when other services such as roads, sanitation, lighting remain in disrepair.

“They put fancy parking markings while the streets crumble next to them,” said one motorist.

Analysts warn that without stronger oversight, powerful private interests may shape revenue streams without sufficient input from the public.

“You cannot have public infrastructure under private control and expect accountability to survive unless mechanisms for audits and disclosure are robust,” said civic commentator Bernard Magugu.

“At the end of the day, the council has to answer whether this BOT partnership represents a revenue success story for Bulawayo or it’s a way of privatising public assets?”