Harare City Parking: Your Guide to Remote Parking Payments

Finding parking in Harare’s bustling city center is often a stressful experience, and anyone who's overstayed their paid time knows how fast it can turn into a nightmare. One minute, you’re in a meeting that’s running long, and the next, you’re rushing back to your car, hoping it hasn’t been clamped. Just last week, I found myself in this exact situation—an hour-long meeting had stretched to two, and I had only paid for one hour of parking. Thankfully, I managed to extend my time before my car was clamped, but the experience prompted me to dig deeper into remote payments methods available for parking in Harare.

City Parking has introduced several tech-forward solutions that make parking less stressful for drivers. With new remote payment methods, the days of constantly running back to pay for parking or arguing with parking marshals may soon be behind us.

City Parking in Harare: The Basics

Parking in Harare is managed by City Parking, which has long relied on marshals to enforce parking rules and collect fees. They offer on-street and parkade parking, with different rates depending on the location. Here’s a look at the current tariffs:

• On-Street (Casual, Hourly): USD 1 or ZWG 26.36 per hour
• Parkade Reserved (Monthly): USD 90
• Parkade Unreserved (Monthly): USD 70
• Fourth Street Lot (Monthly): USD 60

Parking enforcement runs from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.. If you overstay without paying, you run the risk of having your vehicle clamped, and it’ll cost you USD 46 to have it released. But, thanks to technology, avoiding this hassle has become a lot easier.

Why Remote Payment Methods Matter

For years, Harare’s parking system was largely manual—marshals would patrol the streets, issue tickets, and clamp cars that overstayed their time. This system often resulted in frustration for drivers, especially during peak hours when finding a marshal to pay could be a challenge. Fortunately, City Parking has embraced technology, offering drivers the ability to manage their parking remotely. Whether you have a smartphone or just a basic mobile, there’s now an option for everyone.

1. USSD (192#)

For those without smartphones or who prefer a simpler solution, the USSD option is ideal. By dialing *192#, drivers can check how much time is left on their parking, extend their stay, and pay remotely. Payment options include EcoCash and O’mari, making this the most accessible method for the average Zimbabwean, especially in areas with unreliable mobile data connections.

This method ensures that you don’t have to rush back to your car every time you need to add an hour—saving you time and sparing you the stress of getting clamped.

2. WhatsApp Bot

In Zimbabwe where WhatsApp is king, it makes sense that City Parking would integrate their services into the app. The City Parking WhatsApp bot is a seamless way to manage your parking. Simply save the number 0719515601, and text the word Marshy to start. You’ll be presented with a user-friendly menu where you can check your parking status, pay for parking, or even settle parking fines. Payments can be made via EcoCash or ZimSwitch.

The bot is more than just a way to pay—it's a helpful tool for tracking arrears and avoiding unnecessary penalties. It's also a great alternative for drivers who might not want to download another app on their phones.

3. Park Assist Mobile App

If you’re looking for the most intuitive and feature-rich option, the Park Assist mobile app is the way to go. Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, the app allows you to manage your parking with just a few taps. You can check how much time you have left, view and pay arrears, and even extend your parking session without leaving your meeting, lunch, or errand.

The app supports both EcoCash and ZimSwitch, and its easy-to-use interface makes it a go-to solution for smartphone users. 

ZimSwitch Promo

City Parking is currently offering a 20% discount when you pay using the ZimSwitch card platform. While EcoCash is the default payment method for many, ZimSwitch offers an attractive incentive for those who prefer to use their bank cards. However, it’s worth noting that ZimSwitch is only available at select banks, so be sure to check if yours is supported.

This promo is especially useful for frequent parkers who want to cut down on their parking expenses over time.

Paying Clamping Fees 

One of the most frustrating aspects of parking in Harare has always been dealing with clamping. In the past, if your car was clamped, you had to make your way to Trafalgar House in the city center to pay the fine—an often time-consuming process that made a bad situation worse.

Thankfully, this has changed. With the new remote payment systems, you can now settle your USD 46 clamping fee from your phone. Whether you use USSD, WhatsApp, or the Park Assist app, the fine can be paid instantly, saving you the inconvenience of having to visit Trafalgar House in person. 

The Road Ahead for Parking Tech in Zimbabwe

While these innovations are a huge leap forward, there’s still room for improvement. Some users have expressed concerns over connectivity issues, particularly with the USSD system during peak times. Others have noted that ZimSwitch’s limited availability at banks can be frustrating for those hoping to take advantage of the 20% discount. 

However, what’s clear is that City Parking is taking steps to adapt to a more tech-driven future, easing the burden on drivers and reducing reliance on traditional methods of parking management. As Harare’s traffic grows and urban infrastructure develops, these tech solutions will play a crucial role in improving the overall parking experience.

For now, drivers can breathe a little easier knowing they don’t need to sprint back to their cars or deal with the hassle of paying fines in person. Harare’s parking scene is evolving, and it’s about time.