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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) Director of  Services Mr Simela Dube died at Mater Dei Hospital yesterday following an undisclosed illness.

He was 56.

Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni confirmed Eng Dube’s death, saying they had lost a dedicated and innovative worker, who spearheaded several projects in the city.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of our director of engineering services (Eng Dube). It came as a shock because we never saw it coming given that he never got bed-ridden,” he said.

“Of course, we are aware that he had medical conditions, but it’s something that we never thought could take away his life. He was dedicated to his work and despite the challenges emanating from residents’ failure to pay rates, Eng Dube came up with a road condition survey aimed at resuscitating the city’s infrastructure.”

Clr Mguni said when town planning was still under the engineering department, Eng Dube came up with a smart city concept, which was aimed at transforming the city in terms of infrastructure.

“He was also an innovative person and at some stage he worked in South Africa between 2008 and 2010, but returned home to save this city and we are forever indebted to his service.”

He said Eng Dube was also instrumental in the ongoing Government funded Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) and also worked flat out to improve the city’s water crisis.

Eng Dube began his career as a student engineer under the BCC bursary scheme between 1984 and 1987 before his appointment as a junior engineer in October 1988.

He rose through the ranks to the position of construction engineer, mainly involved in construction and storm water drainage systems.

In March 1992, Eng Dube joined the City of Kwekwe as assistant director of Engineering Services before he was promoted to director of works.

In April 1995, he re-joined BCC as assistant director of Engineering Services (Roads) until 2008 when he left for South Africa.
During that period, he also acted as deputy director of Engineering Services (Water).

Between 2009-2010, Eng Dube worked for the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) as a project manager responsible for capacity building of low-capacity municipalities.

In July 2010, he returned home to serve as BCC director of Engineering Services, a post he held at the time of his death.
Eng Dube played a key role in several taskforces and committees, which included the Reclassification and Road Condition and Inventory Survey in Zimbabwe (2008) and the re-writing of the Road Act in 2001 under the Road Sector Reform and Development Programme.

He also sat in the steering committee of the National Road Safety Polity Steering Committee (2013) and the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP) Advisory Council (2012).

He was also a corporate member of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (1994) and associate member of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (2008).

In a statement, Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura) chairperson Winos Dube also expressed condolences to the Dube family.

“The chairman, executive and affiliate resident associations of Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) would like to pass heartfelt condolences on the untimely passing on of Bulawayo City Council Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Simela Dube,” he said.

“We stand with the Dube family and the Bulawayo City Council in this difficult time. May the Lord God Almighty be the source of strength to his family and the Bulawayo community at large.”

Eng Dube is survived by wife, Nobuhle, and three children.

Mourners are gathered at 11 McCullough Road, Matsheumhlope, Bulawayo. – @mashnets