Chitungwiza Municipality has ordered all residents, vehicle owners and operators of overnight guarded car parks to remove abandoned and broken-down vehicles, as well as scrap vehicle shells, dumped at car parks, shopping centres, bus termini and open spaces.
In a public notice dated Monday 12 October, 2026, Acting Town Clerk, Japson Nemuseso, said the removal must be effected with immediate effect.
Council said the dumped vehicles have become an eyesore and a security risk.
“The abandoned vehicles and scrap materials have become eyesores and potential breeding grounds for criminal activities, including drug and substance abuse,” the notice reads.
“Their removal is part of Council’s ongoing efforts to promote a clean, safe and orderly environment across the town.”
Under the directive, operators of guarded car parks have been given seven days, (from Monday 12 October to 18 October) to clear all abandoned vehicles and scrap materials from their sites.
The municipality also warned members of the public against operating illegal car parks.
Council said failure to comply will result in enforcement action from 19 October, 2026. From that date, council teams will remove the vehicles and scrap them at the expense of the respective owners or lessees.
Any vehicles removed and not claimed will be disposed of or sold through a public auction.
Chitungwiza said this is not the first time such an order has been issued. A similar notice was issued last year, but abandoned vehicles have continued to clutter public spaces.
“Council appeals for the full cooperation of residents, vehicle owners, car park operators and all stakeholders in restoring and maintaining order and cleanliness throughout Chitungwiza,” Nemuseso said.
The municipality said the latest directive was intended to prevent further accumulation of abandoned vehicles in public spaces and reinforce efforts to maintain a clean, safe and orderly urban environment.
