Tollgate reprieve for motorists

Motorists living within a 10-kilometre radius of a toll gate will now pay a monthly toll fee of $10, government has said. This comes as a reprieve to the motorists who have been paying the mandatory $2 each time they pass through a toll gate, which could be several times a day depending on their business.

In a government gazette published yesterday, only light motor vehicles whose owners reside within the stipulated distance would qualify for the discount.

"Residents living in areas within a 10KM radius from a toll gate situated in their jurisdiction shall be required to pay a monthly toll fee of $10 only," reads the gazette.

Motorists who have been requesting toll gate exemption from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) include those who live in Marondera, Goromonzi and Dema, all near Harare.

Zinara said toll gate exemption tickets were designed as a reprieve to motorists who reside within and around toll gate areas from paying inordinately high toll gate fees.

Many people have relocated outside the capital to avoid high rentals. They travel to and from Harare daily, passing through the toll gates.