City Motorists Decry Parking Fines in Rwanda

Kigali motorists have lodged complaints about the unfair criteria used to fine parking offences.Motorists who allegedly refuse to pay parking fees of Rwf 100, are fined Rwf 50,000.

Normally, each vehicle parked at designated streets in the city is required to pay an hourly parking fee of Rwf100, and those in default of the rule are subjected to a fine.

Most of the motorists interviewed by The New Times apportion the blame on the parking fee collectors who place parking receipts on vehicles and then leave the spot.

The parking fee collectors are under the auspices of Kigali Veterans Cooperative Association (KVCS).
Emmanuel Nkusi, a motorist, expressed frustration with the collectors.

"There are times I park my car and go about my businesses. When I come back, I find a receipt, then look for the parking fee collectors in vain," Nkusi lamented.

He said that efforts to explain the situation to the KVCS officers fall on deaf ears as they maintain that he pays the fine.

Another motorist, Eric Kimenyi, said his log book was confiscated after he defaulted on a parking ticket.
He said he parked outside a supermarket and upon coming out, he found a receipt but could not trace who to pay the fee after which he drove off.

"The traffic police stopped me one day and asked for my permit, insurance and registration card. I had everything. Then KVCS people came saying that they were looking for car defaulters and my car's number plate was on the list," Kimenyi narrated.

He said that without further clarification apart from claims that he was a defaulter, they confiscated his registration card and told him to report to the KVCS offices.

Kimenyi says that officials at the KVCS office alleged that there was no way to prove his case and he ended up paying the Rwf50,000 fine.

He says that his registration card is still with the police.

According to the Director General of KVCS, Godfrey Bbosa, the parking fee collectors are undergoing several training programs to improve their operations.

The Kigali City Communications Director, Bruno Rangira, said there has been a lot of complaints, especially concerning the criteria used in charging parking fines.

"We shall have a meeting with KVCS to iron out the issues that have been raised," he pledged.









Credit: Africa News
August 2011