Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
DEVOLUTION and road authority funding are beginning to translate into visible service delivery gains in Matabeleland South, with Insiza and Umzingwane rural district councils receiving heavy equipment, fire tenders and motorbikes expected to strengthen road maintenance, emergency response and ward-level administration.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe yesterday commissioned the equipment procured through devolution allocations and the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) for the two local authorities.
The handover saw Insiza Rural District Council receiving motorbikes for councillors, a fire tender, an excavator, road equipment and 33 tablets, while Umzingwane Rural District Council received 28 motorbikes, a tractor loader backhoe (TLB) and a fire tender.
The Umzingwane RDC motorbikes are valued at US$38 640, the TLB is worth US$93 000 and the fire tender cost US$234 000.
The Insiza RDC excavator cost US$200 877, motorbikes US$54 832, tablets US$21 855, the fire tender US$464 296, while road equipment value is ZiG29 million.
A new boardroom at Insiza RDC was also commissioned. Minister Garwe said the equipment directly supports President Mnangagwa’s call for uncompromising service delivery and responds to gaps identified under the Government’s minimum service delivery standards framework.
“We have 92 local authorities in the country which were created to provide services to people and to serve communities, not for the people to serve local authorities,” he said.
“Councillors and council officials are there to ensure roads are trafficable, refuse is collected, clean water is available and all essential services prescribed by the ministry are delivered.”
Minister Garwe said the Government introduced minimum service delivery standards after identifying persistent weaknesses in local authority performance, particularly in refuse collection, water provision and maintenance of public infrastructure.
He noted that many councils have struggled to meet the standards largely because of limited equipment and inadequate operational capacity.
“The President identified that gap and responded through a programme to capacitate local authorities with earth-moving equipment, fire tenders, motorbikes and other operational tools,” said Minister Garwe.
He said the commissioning marked a new phase in strengthening local governance and accelerating rural development.
“The motorbikes being commissioned are more than just vehicles; they are instruments of accessibility for our policy makers. They will enable councillors to reach even the most remote corners of their wards, ensuring that no community is left behind,” he said.
Minister Garwe said improved mobility would speed up project monitoring, improve councillor visibility in communities and strengthen responsiveness to local needs.
He said tablets issued to councillors would modernise council operations by improving communication, data collection and transparency.
“These devices are not just gadgets; they are bridges to innovation, accountability and smarter decision-making. Council information will now be captured in real time, reducing paperwork and improving coordination of programmes at both ward and council level,” said the minister.
Minister Garwe said road equipment and earth-moving machinery were critical to maintaining transport networks that support economic activity.
“Infrastructure remains the backbone of our national economy. Without reliable and well-maintained roads, sustainable development, commerce and industry cannot flourish,” he said.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said the procurement reflected deliberate investment in strengthening institutions and improving service delivery across the province.
“These assets are tools for transformation and it is our collective responsibility to utilise them wisely and effectively for the benefit of our people and the development of our province,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe said improved road maintenance capacity would benefit not only the two districts but the wider province.
“Such progress resonates with the development agenda of His Excellency President Mnangagwa, whose mantra is that no one and no place must be left behind,” he said.
@DubeMatutu
