Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]
GWANDA motorists are up in arms over the municipality’s move to introduce paid parking in the mining town’s city centre, with some calling it a revenue trap while others say it’s long overdue.
The local authority says the paid parking system is part of a wider strategy to boost revenue collection and bring order to the streets, but the reaction from motorists has been anything but calm.
While some drivers believe it will ease congestion, others say it’s an unnecessary burden on already struggling residents who spend their days working in town and can’t afford to pay just to park.
“There is need for the municipality to come up with an effective system that won’t inconvenience us who work in the CBD and have to park our cars throughout the day,” fumed Mr Eric Moyo, a local businessman. “We already pay rates to council and now they want more. Instead of charging us, they should fix the road markings first.”
Mrs Sibongile Nkomo, another motorist, offered a different view. “Paid parking will help reduce congestion. Some people park their cars for the whole day. It becomes difficult to find a spot.”
Gwanda Mayor, Alderman Thulani Moyo, confirmed the municipality is still deciding whether to run the parking system internally or outsource it to a private player.
“We have been losing a lot of money which we should be collecting through paid parking,” he said. “The revenue will go towards road maintenance and other essential services.”
But for many in Gwanda, the real issue is affordability in a tough economy. As council works out the “modalities,” tensions continue to rise on the streets, where every parking spot might soon come with a price tag.
@DubeMatutu
