Harare City Council Charges for Photos in Harare Gardens – Eduzim News

By A Correspondent — The Harare City Council has come under growing criticism after introducing charges for people taking pictures and using public space at Harare Gardens, in a move residents say reflects a broader pattern of aggressive revenue collection.

The local authority recently erected a notice at Harare Gardens indicating that members of the public must pay a fee to use the space for activities such as wedding photography, video shoots, photoshoots, and even study groups. However, the council has not publicly clarified the exact charges, fuelling confusion and frustration among residents.

The development has triggered backlash, with many accusing the council of commercialising public spaces that were traditionally free and accessible.

This controversy comes against the backdrop of longstanding complaints over excessive municipal charges in Harare, particularly parking fees in the central business district. In recent years, the council has outsourced parking management and introduced steep tariffs, clamping fees, and penalties that many residents and motorists say are punitive and poorly regulated.

Critics argue that instead of improving service delivery, the city has increasingly relied on aggressive fee collection measures to boost revenue, often without transparency or accountability. The introduction of fees for simply taking pictures in a public park is being viewed as an extension of this trend.

Some residents have responded with sarcasm and defiance, joking that they may soon need permits for basic leisure activities such as sitting on a bench or walking through the gardens.

Urban governance analysts say the move raises important questions about the right to public space in Zimbabwe’s capital, particularly at a time when economic hardship has already limited citizens’ access to affordable recreation.

As public anger grows, pressure is mounting on the council to clarify the policy, publish a transparent fee structure, and reconsider what many see as the over-commercialisation of Harare’s public amenities.

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