City of Masvingo (Abandoned Vehicles) By-laws, 2025
Masvingo tows abandoned vehicles after three days at US$100 for a light vehicle and US$250 for a heavy one, storage US$30–US$50 a day, and auctions them after 60 days.
These by-laws deal with vehicles abandoned on public property or places open to public travel in the City of Masvingo without the council's consent.
Where the owner fails to remove the vehicle within three working days, the council tows it to a storage facility at the owner's expense; where it is abandoned in an inconvenient place it is towed within 24 hours. A vehicle not redeemed within 60 days is disposed of through an advertised auction to recover the council's expenses.
Before towing, the council and the Zimbabwe Republic Police assess the vehicle's condition and record defects, missing parts and broken gadgets on an inventory sheet, communicated to the owner where known with a copy to the police; the council is not liable for claims about those items. Secure compounds are designated by newspaper notice.
Fees are US$100 to tow a light vehicle and US$250 for a heavy vehicle, with storage at US$30 and US$50 a day respectively — five to eight times the equivalent Plumtree charges gazetted the same day.
The penalty schedule sets US$100 for obstructing an authorised person, while removing a wheel clamp and taking a vehicle from the secure compound are printed as US$0,00.
What changed
- Abandoned vehicles are towed after three working days, or within 24 hours if inconveniently placed
- Towing costs US$100 for light and US$250 for heavy vehicles, with storage at US$30 and US$50 a day
- Unredeemed vehicles are auctioned after 60 days
- The council and police record the vehicle's condition before towing, and the council disclaims liability
- Obstructing an authorised person carries US$100
Who this affects
- Owners of vehicles left on Masvingo streets
- Scrapyards and vehicle repairers
- Council parking enforcement and the police
- Buyers at council auctions
Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.