A Harare resident has been slapped with a US$12 000 penalty by the City of Harare for installing a speed hump without authorisation, in violation of the Roads Act.
In a letter dated December 5, 2025, City of Harare director of Works Isiah Chawatama said the speed hump was constructed without approval.
"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," Chawatama said.
"In accordance with the Roads Act [Chapter 13:18], Part VIII, sections 46 and 47, this constitutes a violation."
"You are therefore required to report to Room 404, Fourth Floor, Cleveland House, to obtain an invoice for the penalty fees amounting to twelve thousand four hundred fifty dollars and Fifty Cents (USD 12,450.50).”
Chawatama said the homeowner is required to pay the penalty within seven days or face billing through their rates account.
The speed hump must also be removed within 48 hours.
Harare Residents Trust director, Precious Shumba, said illegally constructed speed humps not only inconvenience motorists, but also damage the road.
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"Residents should respect the power and authority of the local authority under whose jurisdiction they live," Shumba said.
“Some residents have erected speed humps on road stretches ,but fail to clear the drains just outside their yards to ensure the free flow of rainwater."
Shumba said the US$12 000 penalty for unauthorised speed humps was steep.
"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," he said.
"The City of Harare has a duty to fully break down the penalty charged and refer to its approved schedule of fines in the interest of public 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.
"A resident who has no money will never be able to settle the punitive fine. Therefore, as the local authority, they should exercise restraint when enforcing council's bylaws."
Ward 15 councillor Tafadzwa Machirori said residents must inform their representative or the roads department for proper process if needed.
"It is against city bylaws to put humps or any other structure on the road or on council land without council approval,” Machirori said.
