The mother of a sick child whose vehicle was clamped by City Parking on Thursday, 23 July, has revealed that the attendant she dealt with was rude and dismissive as her child struggled to breathe.
Florence Maridzo Chikwenengwe said she explained to the attendant that she had a sick child in the car who urgently needed medication administered via a nebuliser. He allegedly replied, “That’s none of my business,” before walking away.
Her vehicle was clamped because she could not pay the US$1 parking fee in cash and had asked to pay via EcoCash. The attendant reportedly refused to accept the mobile money payment and insisted on cash.
As the ordeal unfolded, her child was gasping for breath inside the car.
Chikwenengwe said she was forced to look for US$35 to have the clamp removed so she could rush her child to hospital. She eventually managed to get to Parktown Hospital, where the child’s condition had deteriorated into a medical emergency.
She told journalist Hopewell Chin’ono that she did not have the US$600 required for treatment, but a Good Samaritan who wished to remain anonymous stepped in and paid the full amount.
On Friday, City of Harare officials visited Chikwenengwe and offered to reimburse the US$35 she had paid to have the clamp removed.
The City has since issued a statement apologising to the mother and promising corrective action.
“Reference is made to an unfortunate incident this afternoon in which a woman’s car was clamped while trying to rush with her sick baby to the clinic. We sincerely apologise for the trauma caused to the mother, her family and all residents of Harare. The City of Harare has engaged our company, City Parking and the woman with a view to gathering full facts,” the statement read.
The City said when the matter came to the attention of senior officials, they ordered that the clamp be removed immediately to allow the mother to take her baby to hospital.
“The City of Harare wishes to clarify that in all emergency situations, we assist the motorist first before clamping or issuing tickets. We are investigating the case and appropriate measures will be taken,” it added.
According to the statement, Mayor Jacob Mafume has taken charge of the matter, has contacted the mother, and has apologised.
The mother reportedly told the mayor that her baby is receiving treatment, and he assured her that immediate action will be taken.
“Once again we sincerely apologise to the mother and wish the baby a speedy recovery,” the City said.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply