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Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has proposed allocating its ZWG176 million devolution funds towards the purchase of 144 vehicles and plant equipment from a Belarusian company to enhance service delivery in the city.

The proposed fleet purchase includes a variety of vehicles, such as tractors, front loaders, disc mowers, disc ploughs, rakes, balers, tractor trailers, water tanks, garbage trailers, dump trucks, and fast-response cars. The total cost of the procurement in foreign currency amounts to US$7,5 million.

Devolution funds, allocated by the Government to local authorities, aim to improve service delivery at a time when many councils face challenges in financing critical services. These funds have already contributed to grassroots development in various communities, with new schools, clinics, and roads being constructed across the country.

In Cowdray Park, a sprawling suburb of Bulawayo, devolution funds were used to build Vulindlela Primary School, alleviating overcrowding in the area.

According to the latest council minutes, the Works Department proposed that the local authority utilise its devolution funds to procure the vehicles and equipment necessary for improving city services. The council plans to take advantage of the Zimbabwe-Belarus government-to-government Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Trade and Economic Co-operation, which allows the city to procure plant equipment and vehicles from Belarus under favourable terms.

“The Zimbabwe-Belarus MoU provides a valuable framework for co-operation, allowing the city to access high-quality resources and expertise that would significantly enhance service delivery and the development agenda. The city’s 2025 devolution allocation amounted to ZWG176 353 600,” read the council minutes.

“Utilising the devolution funds for the procurement would not only ensure that the council adhered to budgetary allocations but also facilitate a more efficient and streamlined process by leveraging the existing agreement with the Belarusian government.”

The council engaged AFTRADE DMCC, a private Belarusian agency, which provided a quotation for the equipment at US$7 506 977.
According to the council minutes, acting BCC Director of Public Works, Engineer Methusi Dibidi, said procuring these vehicles

from Belarus was a means of leveraging the existing bilateral agreement between Zimbabwe and the Republic of Belarus for Trade and Economic Co-operation.

“This would facilitate a more efficient and seamless procurement process compared to engaging suppliers from other countries,” he said.
He assured the committee that the machinery was suitable for African conditions and terrain.

“The company was offering a package that included maintenance and servicing during the warranty period, along with training for council employees on equipment operation. The company also had a service centre in Harare, where the training would take place,” said Eng Dibidi.

After deliberation, the council unanimously resolved to use the devolution funds for the procurement of the necessary equipment.

“Authority is granted for the department to use the city’s 2025 devolution allocation of ZWG176 353 600 for procuring critical plant and equipment from Belarus,” the minutes state. — @nqotshili