Masvingo mulls e-parking

Zim Now Writer

The City of Masvingo is mulling introducing e-parking services to reduce corruption and increase efficiency.

This was disclosed by the City’s Finance Director, Danister Jori, during a residents’ engagement meeting convened by Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association at the Civic Centre recently.

He said because there will be little to no human interaction under e-parking, this will reduce corruption and increase efficiency as the transaction will now be done online.

The Finance Director said they are following in the footsteps of Harare City which has already implemented the services.

“We are working with the City of Harare to introduce e-parking so as to improve efficiency and curb corruption. The application is smart and easy to manage,” said Jori.

Residents at the meeting accused parking marshals of demanding bribes and deliberately hiding from motorists who want to pay parking fees only to emerge after the client has left. They then clamp the car and demand a bribe less than the US$30 clamping fees.

He said parking fees are charged in order to decongest the Central Business District, allowing people who want to do business space.

Jori also said it takes two people for corruption to take place and urged residents to report all cases of corruption to authorities.

“Corruption involves two people. You do not have to let council officials take you for a ride. Report all cases of corruption to our officials and we will act swiftly,” he said.