Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has recommended allocating US$13.4 million over five years to systematically replace its ageing and increasingly unreliable fleet and to re-tender tracking and fuel management systems, amid concerns over vehicle misuse and theft following the lapse of the City’s fleet tracking contract, a new report shows.
According to the latest council report, tabled during a recent council meeting, 62 percent of the City’s total fleet has now exceeded its economic lifespan, posing major challenges to service delivery and operational efficiency.
“To address the persistent challenges posed by an ageing and increasingly unreliable fleet, it was recommended that a phased investment of US$13.4 million be allocated over a period of five (5) years to systematically replace obsolete fleet,” said the Council in its report.
“This strategic capital injection was essential to enhance fleet availability, operational efficiency and service delivery,” the report further indicated.
Out of the Council’s total fleet of 340 vehicles and plant equipment, only 129 vehicles — equivalent to 38 percent — are currently within their economic lifespan, while 211 units, or 62 percent, are considered obsolete.
The Council’s fleet is maintained under four key workshops: Famona Workshop (Emergency Services), 13th Avenue Transport Workshop (light vehicles), Roads Workshop (Construction & Equipment), and the Cleansing Workshop (truck and waste management services).
The report noted that efforts to curb misuse and improve fleet management were significantly bolstered in October 2020 through the introduction of a Vehicle Tracking and Fleet Management System.
The system, awarded to Teltrack under TelOne, initially covered 186 vehicles and provided live tracking, monitoring of driver behaviour, fuel levels, and other performance indicators.
“As per the City of Bulawayo’s fleet policy, all new vehicles must have tracking and fuel management systems. Since 2020, 231 vehicles and equipment had been fitted,” noted the report.
The system proved effective, generating more than 160 daily alerts that helped detect incidents such as fuel loss, unauthorised fuelling, speeding, engine overheating, route deviations, and vehicle misuse.
However, the contract with TelOne has since expired and, although the tracking units remain operational, the City is no longer able to fully utilise the system’s capabilities due to the absence of an active service agreement.
“The contract with TelOne expired, but tracking units and the whole system was operational. PMU was working on re-advertising the tender to restore the system, as the City now faced risks of vehicle misuse and theft or potentially complicating vehicle recovery efforts,” Council warned.
The re-advertisement of the tracking system tender is expected to prioritise the restoration of full functionality in alignment with the City’s fleet management policy, as officials seek to safeguard municipal assets and ensure accountability in fleet usage.
Council is under increasing pressure to address both operational inefficiencies and accountability gaps as it continues to navigate constrained resources and ageing infrastructure.
The combined strategy of fleet renewal and reinstating tracking capabilities is viewed as key to restoring reliable municipal service delivery.
