Masvingo to re-introduce prepaid parking

The cash-strapped Masvingo City Council re-introduced prepaid parking on New Year's Day in a move it said is aimed at decongesting the central business district.

The council abruptly halted prepaid parking in 2012 after a lawyer challenged the constitutionality of the provision saying it was not covered in council by-laws.

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

In a notice, the municipality indicated that prepaid parking was implemented on New Year's Day.

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 re-introduce prepaid parking in the CBD area with effect from 1 January 2015. The parking fees range from $0.50 for 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 declined to comment on the latest move