Council reintroduces prepaid parking

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THE cash-strapped Masvingo City Council reintroduces prepaid parking starting today in what it says is a move to decongest the city.

THE cash-strapped Masvingo City Council reintroduces prepaid parking starting today in what it says is a move to decongest the city. Own Correspondent

Two years ago, the council halted prepaid parking in a huff after a lawyer challenged the constitutionality of the provision, saying it was not covered in the council by-laws.

But now it seems the council has done its homework after amending its by-laws.

In a notice, the municipality said prepaid parking would commence effective today.

“Notice is hereby given that in terms of Section 229 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) and statutory instrument 37 of 2012, the City of Masvingo intends to reintroduce prepaid parking in the CBD (central business district) area with effect from January 1 2015,” reads the notice.

The parking fees range from $0,50 per 30 minutes and $1 per hour. Cheaper parking for the whole day costs $2 at the council chambers, reads the notice.

Parking disks are already on sale.

Masvingo mayor Hubert Fidze could not comment on the issue, as he said he was not feeling well.

“I am at a private hospital now as I am not feeling well,” he said.

The increase in vehicular volumes has seen Masvingo recording traffic jams during peak hours, making parking a nightmare in town, something which, apart from fund-raising, triggered the council to act.