THE Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) has turned down an offer of two exclusive parking bays in front of its Bulawayo offices at Magnet House Building despite making an application to the local authority.
By Nqobile Bhebhe
Early this year, the State security agency made an application to the Bulawayo City Council for two bays at its offices in the city centre. Each bay attracts a monthly rental of $10.
According to latest council minutes, the acting director of housing and community services recalled that last month, the local authority resolved to lease out the two bays after the spy agency had made the request.
“The applicant verbally declined the offer and efforts to contact their offices to obtain a written consent had been in vain,” council said.
Due to lack of co-operation from the CIO, council “resolved to recommend to the finance and development committee: That Council’s decision of (07/01/2015) resolved to lease out the above-mentioned parking bays to the CIO be reviewed and rescinded accordingly.”
Last year, council gave six parking bays to the spy agency.
According to council reports early this year, a number of applications had been received from government departments requesting exclusive parking bays in front of their premises.
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The reasons cited for this request were the protection of government property which includes buildings, motor vehicles, documents and personnel as it is a constitutional mandate to provide security to all State properties.
“The exclusive parking bays in front of the respective buildings will deter any criminal elements who would want to park their vehicles in front of or within government premises with sinister motives,” council said.
