The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
RUSAPE Town Council has joined other major cities and towns across the country in introducing a prepaid vehicle parking system, in a development expected to boost revenue flows, while decongesting the town’s Central Business District.
The move has, however, been received with mixed feelings, with some stakeholders against the idea as they argue that the move will reduce business in the town; while others feel that the move was long overdue as council require funds to maintain its roads.
Rusape got the nod to introduce the system in 2012 under its Clamping and Tow Away By-law.
The town will now implement the system covering nearly most of its parking space in the Central Business District, commencing on February 1, 2023.
In an interview, acting Town Secretary, Mr Togarepi Nerwande said council will ringfence the revenue generated to maintain its road network.
He added that they will be charging US$1 or the local currency equivalent per hour.
“We will start implementing the system on February 1, 2023. Our by-law was approved way back in 2012, but we shelved the move. The purpose is to decongest the CBD and also to raise funds to maintain and upgrade our road infrastructure.
“This will also help us in bringing order and sanity in the town. There are a number of people conducting illegal businesses in their cars parked in town the whole day and in front of registered businesses. Those conducting legitimate business will actually benefit from prepaid parking,” he said.
Mr Nerwande added: “Those who want reserved parking spaces for their company vehicles should approach us.
‘‘Already we have a number of banks with such facilities.
“Council is in the process of acquiring a tow away truck and fencing an open space between our Engineering Department and GMB which will be the holding bay for impounded vehicle.”
A motorist, Mr Nesbert Chasara has since written to the local authority asking them to shelve the move as he believes the local authority will not be able to stop financial leakages.
Speaking to The Manica Post, Mr Chasara said residents have genuine concerns over how the collected revenue will be used.
“It is an ill-advised move to introduce prepaid parking at this juncture. There is no congestion in Rusape’s CBD. At the moment, the council’s systems are very weak and vulnerable to abuse. Councillors and top officials are in and out of courts on allegations of mismanagement of resources.
“There is no guarantee that the money generated from prepaid parking will be channelled towards road upgrading. Residents have been paying for street lightning for decades, but the council has dismally failed to provide the services. Council must properly account for funds from ZINARA and Devolution Funds,” he said.
