Bulawayo’s ambitious plan to introduce an AI-powered parking management system is being undermined by basic infrastructure failures with potholes, poor internet connectivity and a shortage of parking bays slowing implementation of the flagship project.
A report by the acting director of the works department, Methusi Dibidi, presented to the environmental management and engineering committee revealed that while the city has already acquired advanced AI-enabled equipment for the parking management project, critical groundwork required for full rollout remains incomplete.
The parking management project, being implemented by Tendy Three Investments (TTI), began in February 2022 and is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Under the agreement, council is required to avail a minimum of 7 200 parking bays within the project area before the system can be fully implemented.
However, as of April 2026, only 6 978 bays had been availed, leaving the city below the required threshold.
“Delays in fulfilling the precedent condition of availing a minimum of 7200 bays is one of the major challenges facing the project,” the report said.
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Of the available bays, 6 435 are white bays, while 543 are reserved for taxis and people with disabilities.
However, 736 white bays are currently unusable after being occupied by informal traders in areas such as Fife Avenue, further worsening the shortage.
The report also highlights deteriorating road conditions as another major obstacle.
“There is a need to continuously renew road lines and parking bays marking, which continuously diminishes with time,” the report reads.
Council said pothole-ridden roads have complicated efforts to create and remark additional parking bays.
“Works to provide more parking bays, and meet the precedent condition set out in the agreement, are ongoing, with internal teams and selected contractors executing pothole patching in the project area,” the report stated.
Despite these setbacks, the report indicated that technological side of the project is moving forward.
The report shows that installation of smart parking sensors is currently at just 5%, although pilot testing has begun in selected areas ahead of wider deployment expected next month.
“Implementation of the new sensors technology is being tested in some areas in the project area before full roll out,” it added. “Roll out of the sensors is expected to commence in July 2026.”
Council added that the project has already received “technologically advanced and AI enhanced tags” designed to support automated parking monitoring.
Camera surveillance installation has reached 40%, but even this component has been slowed by another basic challenge poor internet connectivity.
“Roll out of the second phase of cameras has commenced, with delays being attributed to internet connectivity issues.
“The project has received the new spec cameras with AI enhancements,” the report noted.
Meanwhile, the construction of an impounded vehicle yard is 70% complete, although work has been paused as council considers relocating the facility.
“Works to complete the yard are currently on hold pending council’s intention to relocate the impound yard,” the report said.
With implementation delays mounting, council has resolved to allow TTI to take over delivery of the outstanding parking bay requirement.
“The council resolved on the request for the project to allow the counter party TTI to take over the precedent condition deliverable.”