What do I do if my car is clamped in town?
Bulawayo's clamping by-law gives you more than most people realise: the ticket must come with the clamp, you have at least two hours before they can tow, and you are owed a receipt and a duplicate ticket.
In person
- Pay at a council revenue hall or financial services
Or to the authorised person on the spot. Either way they must issue you a miscellaneous receipt together with the duplicate of the ticket, as proof of payment.
- Drive it yourself, if they are towing
If you are co-operating or it is a first offence, an authorised person may escort you while YOU drive to the compound, at a cost equal to the tow fee.
What you need
- The clamp must be applied at the same moment the ticket is issued, not before it.
- They must wait at least two hours before towing you away. The exception is if you are obstructing traffic, when they may tow immediately without clamping first.
- Do not cut the clamp off. That is an offence carrying up to a level 3 fine (US$30) or a year in prison, or both.
- Pay within four working days: a default penalty of 33% is added to any fine not settled by then. Anything unpaid by close of business can be towed with or without your consent.
- If it is impounded, council must advertise the list in a newspaper and give you 30 days to claim it, after which it may be auctioned.
- While it sits in the compound, the risk stays with you, not council.
Contact
- Council Call Centre: 0292 271290
Source: SI 220 of 2023, City of Bulawayo (Clamping and Tow-away) By-lawschecked 16 Jul 2026