The verdict in the arbitration case between Harare City Council and EasiHold South Africa over the termination of their joint parking business will take a little longer to be passed. The verdict was expected last month, but arbitrator Advocate Firoz Girach yesterday said he was yet to finalise it. "We are in the middle of it, we have not yet concluded the matter," he said.

"All the evidence has been submitted and now we are waiting for lawyers to make legal submissions for us to make a ruling." Advocate Girach said he would be able to determine when judgment would be ready in two weeks.

EasiHold chief executive Mr Mike Clark said they were eagerly waiting for the verdict.

"We do not know at this stage when exactly the judgment is expected," he said. "We have completed the evidence hearings and the submission of all papers from both sets of attorneys.

"The matter is now with the arbitrator who shall decide if there's need for further hearings (if any) and the judgment awaited."

Harare city chairman for the EasiPark management committee Mr Alois Masepe said they expected the verdict to cancel the contract.

"But you must remember the council position is that the marriage is over. We are irreconcilable. We stand by the council resolution to terminate the deal."

Mr Masepe said arbitration was on how to end the city's relationship with EasiHold. The city has not benefitted from the deal amid reports that some funds could have been siphoned out of the country.

Some books with parking receipts for on street parking cannot be accounted for.