Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
BEITBRIDGE Municipality has taken delivery of three new service vehicles valued at US$100 725, a move that council officials say will significantly improve response times and service delivery in one of the country’s fastest-growing border towns.
Deputy Mayor Councillor John Manatsa recently handed over the vehicles to management and said the procurement was strategically aligned with the extensive infrastructure upgrades currently underway in the town under the US$300 million border modernisation project.
Beitbridge is undergoing one of the most extensive transformations in its history. Government has already completed the dualisation of the road linking the border post to the major highways leading to Harare and Bulawayo and is finalising the construction of 64 Government housing units at the border.
The modernisation programme also includes five major out-of-port projects, namely the expansion of the water and sewer reticulation system, the construction of a new fire station, an animal plant and quarantine facility, and 220 housing units for border agencies.
Within the town, the municipality is also developing a new Central Business District comprising 33 commercial stands, each approved for buildings of up to four storeys. Beitbridge serves a daily transit population of about 15 000 people and has an estimated 100 000 residents who depend on municipal services.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Cllr Manatsa said the new vehicles were essential if the local authority was to keep pace with national investments through efficient service delivery.
“Today is a proud day for Beitbridge Municipality. We are gathered here to take delivery of three service vehicles that have been procured for the benefit of our residents. This handover is not just about receiving keys and vehicles. It’s about service delivery,” said Cllr Manatsa.
He said several council departments had previously been hampered by mobility challenges, resulting in delays in the provision of key services. The Deputy Mayor said health inspectors were unable to reach all wards promptly, while public works teams often took longer to respond to burst pipes and potholes. Housing and revenue departments also faced difficulties conducting field inspections and community consultations.
“With these three vehicles, that changes. Our teams will now reach burst pipes, sewer blockages, and road faults quicker. Service delivery must be timely. From Dulivhadzimu to Mabidi, from town to low-density areas, no ward will be left behind. Our officers will be in the field more.”
Cllr Manatsa said the vehicles would also improve operational efficiency, allowing council staff equipped with the necessary tools to accomplish more work with reduced downtime.
“Let these vehicles translate directly into visible improvements. Cleaner streets, attended faults, inspected premises, and engaged communities. Let residents see and feel the difference. When you see a council vehicle in your ward, it should mean work is being done.”
Cllr Manatsa said the purchase was made possible through prudent financial management and the prioritisation of service delivery in the municipal budget. He also commended the Town Clerk’s office as well as the Finance and Procurement departments for facilitating the acquisition.
He said the three vehicles had been allocated to key departments to support field inspections, emergency repairs, billing operations and community engagement programmes.
The municipality expects the enhanced mobility to reduce the backlog of service requests and improve revenue collection, which will in turn support additional development projects.
“As we hand over these keys today, we are not just handing over vehicles. We are handing over a commitment — a commitment to take services closer to the people. Let’s drive service delivery forward,” he said.
Beitbridge Residents’ Association representative Mrs Flora Gumbo of Dulivhadzimu welcomed the development, saying residents had long complained about delayed responses to sewer bursts and refuse collection challenges in high-density suburbs.
She said the additional vehicles would improve the council’s ability to reach outlying residential areas that have often felt neglected.
Beitbridge businessman Mr Charles “Terry” Mulowa commended the local authority for aligning its budget with the needs of a rapidly expanding town.
He said an efficient and responsive municipality was vital at a time when Beitbridge was attracting increased investment driven by the border modernisation project and the development of the new CBD.
Town Clerk Mr Loud Ramakgapola said the municipality would continue mobilising resources to address existing service delivery gaps.
He said the vehicles formed part of a broader fleet and equipment acquisition plan designed to strengthen departments responsible for health, public works, housing and revenue collection as the town continues to grow.
“Beitbridge is no longer a small border town. With 15 000 people passing through daily and over 60 000 residents, the demand for services is huge. We must match that demand with the right tools and systems,” said Mr Ramakgapola.
