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Nqobile Bhebhe, Senior Business Reporter
IN just 43 days, the Bulawayo City Council raked in $1 692 198.60 in parking and clamping fees from its parking deal with Tendy Three International (TTI).

The South African company, started collecting fees under the first phase of the arrangement on 18 February.

Figures from the latest council report show that from 18 February to 1 April, in local currency, $1 692 198.60 was collected for parking fees, 2 176.50 South African rand and US$3 488.90.

Council got 30 percent of parking fees proceeds and 50 percent on clamping fees, the report indicates.

Between 18 February and 28 February, US$246.60 was collected and R401.70 and $106 746.00. The amount increased between March 1 and March 16 to US$566.40, R733.20 and ZWL$336 176.40.

In the remainder of the period under review, between 17 March to 1 April, the council received US$693.90, R531.60 and $ 613 204.20.

For clamping $636 072.00 was collected in local currency, R510.00 and US$1 982.00 in 43 days.

The amount has been steadily rising with each passing month.

According to the local authority over 50 vehicles are clamped daily on undesignated parking areas in Bulawayo’s city centre since the new parking system came into effect in February.

Motorists are required to pay $2 190 to drive away their cars that would have been clamped.

Initially, the parking fee was pegged at US$1 for 30 minutes, but the council bowed down to pressure and reduced it.

Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube

Transgressions include parking on yellow lines, on taxi and disabled parking bays or just those who park in the middle of the road and leave their vehicles there.

Since the implementation of the new parking system in February this year on a zone stretching from Samuel Parirenyatwa to Lobengula Street and from 3rd Avenue to 15th Avenue, parking on the peripheries of this area has filled up as motorists run away from paying US$1 per hour or at the prevailing auction rate.

However, according to the council report, Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube told councillors that delays in implementing the parking management system in the whole Central Business District were as a result of challenges faced by the local authority in demarcating and marking roads.

These challenges were attributed to the unavailability of material. — @nqobilebhebhe