Woman Whose Car Was Clamped While Rushing Sick Baby To Hospital Speaks Out On Ordeal

Harare Mother Breaks Silence After Parking Clamp Delay During Baby’s Medical Emergency A Harare mother has spoken out after her vehicle was allegedly clamped while she was trying to rush her sick child to hospital, prompting renewed scrutiny of the City of Harare’s parking enforcement practices. Florence Maridzo Chikwenengwe said the incident unfolded on 24 July 2026, after she was unable to pay a US$1 (about R16.83) parking fee in cash and wanted to use EcoCash instead. According to her account, the delay left her child, who needed urgent medical attention, in worsening condition before eventually reaching hospital. Harare Mother Recounts Parking Clamp Ordeal During Child’s Medical Emergency Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono shared Florence Maridzo Chikwenengwe’s account on X after speaking to her by telephone. According to Chin’ono, Chikwenengwe said she parked her vehicle at around 3:50pm before attempting to pay the parking fee electronically. “The parking fee was US$1, but like most Zimbabweans, she did not have cash and asked to pay using EcoCash,” Chin’ono wrote. He said she claimed the parking attendant refused the electronic payment. “She explained to the parking attendant that she had a child in the car who urgently needed medication to be administered through a nebuliser. According to her, the parking attendant replied, ‘That’s none of my business,’ and walked away.” Chikwenengwe allegedly paid US$35 (about R589.20) to have the clamp removed before driving to Parktown Hospital. Good Samaritan Steps In As City Of Harare Responds According to Chin’ono, the child’s condition became a medical emergency after arriving at hospital. “She did not have the US$600 (about R10,100.40) required for treatment, but fortunately, a Good Samaritan stepped in, paid the full amount and asked to remain anonymous.” He added that City of Harare officials later visited Chikwenengwe and offered to reimburse the US$35 (about R589.20) clamp removal fee. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume and City spokesperson Stan Gama also issued a statement indicating the matter would be addressed. Calls For Wider Reforms While welcoming the city’s response, Chin’ono argued that the issue went beyond one incident. “Addressing this individual case by offering to pay the US$35 clamp fee without dealing with the broader culture of untrained and unprofessional Harare City Council parking attendants is simply not anywhere near enough.” He urged city authorities to review staff training and disciplinary measures, saying residents deserved fair and humane treatment, particularly during emergencies. As of 25 July 2026, there has been no public indication from the City of Harare regarding the outcome of any internal investigation. City Of Harare Apologises After Municipal Cop Slaps Woman At Council Offices The post Woman Whose Car Was Clamped While Rushing Sick Baby To Hospital Speaks Out On Ordeal appeared first on iHarare News .