City of Harare Fines Resident US$12,000 for Unauthorised Speed Hump

Illegal Hump

The City of Harare has fined a Tynwald resident more than US$12,000 for installing a speed hump without council approval, citing a breach of the Roads Act. In a letter dated 5 December 2025, the City’s Director of Works, Isiah Chawatama, said the speed hump had been constructed illegally across a public road in Dawn View Park.

“It has come to my attention that the occupant or owner of 7714 Dawn View Park, Tynwald, installed a speed hump across a road without authority from the City of Harare Department of Works,” the letter reads.

Chawatama said the action violated provisions of the Roads Act [Chapter 13:18], Part VIII, Sections 46 and 47.

The homeowner has been instructed to report to Room 404, Fourth Floor, Cleveland House, to obtain an invoice for penalty fees amounting to US$12,450.50. The resident has seven days to settle the fine, failing which the amount will be charged to their rates account.

The council also ordered that the speed hump be removed within 48 hours.

Residents Group Questions Penalty

Director of the Harare Residents Trust, Precious Shumba, said residents must respect the authority of the local council under whose jurisdiction they live. However, he described the size of the penalty as excessive.

“While it is an offence to act on council property and infrastructure without seeking council approval, punishment should be reasonable to deter future violations of the council’s bylaws,” Shumba said.

He added that the local authority should clearly break down how the penalty was calculated and refer to its approved schedule of fines in the interest of transparency and accountability.

“If a fine is excessive, it will be contested, and it becomes an unnecessary expense to the council in lawyers’ fees, to be borne by the ratepayers,” he said.

Shumba also warned that imposing punitive fines on residents who may not have the financial means to pay could create further disputes.

Follow Proper Channels, Says Councillor

Ward 15 councillor Tafadzwa Machirori urged residents to follow proper procedures before altering public infrastructure. He said residents concerned about speeding vehicles in their neighbourhoods should notify their ward representative or formally approach the council’s roads department to ensure installations comply with regulations and safety standards.

The incident has sparked debate over the enforcement of municipal bylaws, public safety concerns, and the proportionality of penalties imposed by local authorities.

City of Harare; 12000 fine; resident; unauthorised hump