Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has outlined plans to utilize its ZWG176 million devolution funds to acquire a fleet of 144 vehicles and plant equipment from a Belarusian supplier. This initiative aims to improve essential municipal services across the city.
The proposed procurement list includes various machinery and vehicles such as tractors, front loaders, disc mowers, disc ploughs, rakes, balers, trailers, water tanks, garbage trucks, dump trucks, and emergency response vehicles. The total expenditure for this project, in foreign currency, is estimated at US$7.5 million.
Devolution funds, allocated by the central government, are intended to bolster service delivery in local authorities facing financial constraints. These funds have already supported community development projects nationwide, including the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, and roads. For instance, in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb, the devolution budget was previously used to establish Vulindlela Primary School, addressing classroom congestion.
According to recent council records, BCC’s Works Department recommended directing devolution funds toward acquiring much-needed equipment to enhance city services. The council plans to leverage an existing trade agreement between Zimbabwe and Belarus, known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Trade and Economic Co-operation, which facilitates procurement under favorable terms.
“The Zimbabwe-Belarus MoU creates an opportunity for the city to obtain high-quality resources and expertise essential for service enhancement. The 2025 devolution allocation for Bulawayo stands at ZWG176 353 600,” stated the council minutes.
The council believes that channeling devolution funds into this procurement will not only ensure adherence to budgetary guidelines but also streamline the acquisition process through the pre-existing bilateral agreement.
To facilitate this initiative, BCC engaged AFTRADE DMCC, a Belarusian private agency, which submitted a quotation amounting to US$7,506,977. Acting BCC Director of Public Works, Engineer Methusi Dibidi, emphasized that procuring the equipment from Belarus aligns with the government-to-government agreement, making the process smoother compared to sourcing from other suppliers.
“This approach guarantees efficiency and expedites procurement. Additionally, the equipment is designed to suit African conditions, ensuring durability and effectiveness in local operations,” said Eng Dibidi.
He further highlighted that the package includes maintenance services during the warranty period, as well as training for council staff on equipment usage. Training sessions will be conducted at the company’s service center in Harare.
Following thorough discussions, the council unanimously approved the proposal to use devolution funds for acquiring the necessary equipment.
“The Works Department is authorized to allocate ZWG176 353 600 from the 2025 devolution budget for the purchase of critical municipal vehicles and machinery from Belarus,” the minutes confirmed.
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