ZANU PF Unhappy With Bulawayo Vehicle Parking Deal
ZANU PF has expressed disapproval over the awarding of a tender by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to a South African company to manage vehicle parking in Zimbabwean’s second-largest city.
BCC recently awarded Tendy Three Investment (TTI) a US$2 million tender for vehicle parking management.
Under the deal, which is a build operate and transfer (BOT), BCC will receive 30% of the proceeds, while TTI retains 70%.
ZANU PF Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Archibold Chiponda wrote a letter to town clerk Christopher Dube on 28 March expressing disquiet over the deal. Said Chiponda:
We feel that the partnership is detrimental to the development of Bulawayo both economically and socially.
In addition, we question whether the technology or value addition being offered by the foreign company is so unique that BCC could not identify a capable local company or better still carry out the project itself.
In total, over a period of six years, TTI stands to make a potential net profit of US$4 420 080, in comparison to US$941 760 for BCC.
As ZANU PF, we find this grossly unacceptable. An individual employed within the CBD will part with at least US$100 per month in parking fees, severely eroding their income.
Some businesses have already noticed the trend of falling revenues since the introduction of the parking system.
Furthermore, the added cost of parking adds a US$0.50c premium to any goods or services purchased from companies operating within the CBD as consumers will be forced to pay to park in order to consume those goods and services.
ZAPU recently petitioned BCC to reduce the US$1 per hour parking charge saying it is beyond the reach of most motorists.
