Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has announced an ambitious procurement plan for 2025 with a total budget of US$156 million, which among other targets, will see the local authority buying Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for its personnel.
Although the council has previously stated that it is struggling to provide adequate services to residents due to financial constraints, it has committed to raising US$5,8 million for the acquisition of SUVs alongside other essential vehicles and equipment. Each SUV is priced at US$49 352.
BCC also targets buying essential vehicles that include ambulances, a minibus, a kombi, pickup trucks (three to eight tonnes), refuse compactors, tipper trucks, water bowsers and a fuel tanker. The procurement will be conducted via international competitive bidding.
According to a recent council report, the comprehensive procurement plan not only includes the SUVs but also additional motor vehicles, plant and equipment.
“The Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, highlighted that the plan is part of a broader strategy for infrastructure renewal and development throughout the city.
“Major construction works in the plan include the renewal of water mains citywide, refurbishment of hostels and flats and the modernisation of halls and youth centres. There will also be new vending sheds for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and rehabilitation of leased properties for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Key roads, such as Motopos Road, are slated for complete overlays, while other thoroughfares will see improvements through internal initiatives. The plan also aims to service stands in areas like Emganwini, Highmount and Bellevue,” the report reads.
Regarding the international bidding process for the SUV purchases, the council has scheduled the bid publication for 28 March with the closing date set for 28 May. The award notice is expected to be published on 22 July followed by contract signing the next day.
The successful bid is expected to deliver the vehicles by 15 August.
While specific figures have not been disclosed, the local authority confirmed that it plans to acquire 104 vehicles, including the SUVs, ambulances and other essential transport.
In addition to vehicle procurement, other significant targets for the year include securing roadworks plants, machinery and materials such as graders, tractor loader backhoes, bulldozers, rollers, landfill compactors, road pavers and bitumen distributors.
These will also be procured through international competitive bidding, with some items financed via devolution funds.
The council is also planning to renew water mains across the city focusing on complex projects in Cowdray Park, Pumula East, Umzingwane Dam, Khami Pipeline and other areas, with an estimated domestic bidding cost of US$4 million.
Additional procurement plans include an Expression of Interest for prepaid and smart water meters and management systems (US$500 000) and servicing stands in areas like RE Umganin Phase 4, NB2 Bellevue, and RE Emganwini phases 3 and 4, through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) using domestic competitive bidding methods.
Other major projects in the plan involve the reconstruction and refurbishment of bus termini (US$1,1 million), rehabilitation of water conservation centres and water pump stations (US$2,4 million), rehabilitation of sewage treatment plants and outfall sewers (US$4,2 million), construction of vending sheds for MSMEs (US$3 million), and development of cemeteries (US$230 000).
During a council meeting, Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo expressed concerns about the Water and Sanitation Department’s inability to address unattended sewer bursts, which have become a significant issue in the community.
He called for a revision of the procurement plan to prioritize critical equipment.
In response, Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou explained that procurement had been paused across all departments for an extended period. She noted that the current plan incorporates pending items from the previous year. Assuring the council of their concerns, she stated that the procurement plan would be revisited to prioritize essential equipment.
Once it receives council approval, the plan will be submitted to the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz), and advertisements for tenders will follow the established timelines.
