Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GWANDA MUNICIPALITY has significantly strengthened its service delivery capacity through the acquisition of essential earth-moving machinery, marking a major step forward in infrastructure development and operational efficiency.
The newly acquired equipment — a grader, roller compactor and tipper truck — will enable the council to more effectively maintain roads, service residential stands and relocate the town’s long-outdated dumpsite. This US$425 000 investment was made possible through a combination of council funds and support from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara).
This strategic purchase signals the beginning of a broader initiative to procure additional earth-moving machinery. The goal is to enhance the municipality’s ability to service residential stands at a more affordable cost, particularly benefitting low-income residents.
Beyond infrastructure development, the new equipment will also enable the council to respond more swiftly to sewer and water pipe bursts. This will reduce reliance on manual labour and significantly improve operational efficiency.
In a related development, the council recently procured a Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB) machine, valued at US$95 000, funded entirely through its own resources.
Speaking in an interview, Gwanda Mayor, Alderman Thulani Moyo, said the acquisition of this machinery forms part of a broader strategy to improve service delivery while reducing the costs associated with hiring equipment.
“For a long time, the council has operated without sufficient equipment, which has severely hindered our ability to deliver services effectively.
“As part of our commitment to improving service delivery, we have now purchased a grader, roller compactor and tipper truck worth US$425 000 or the equivalent in ZiG. This is a major boost.
“Late last year, we managed to acquire a TLB machine, so this marks significant progress,” said Alderman Moyo.
He said that the new machinery would greatly enhance service delivery in line with President Mnangagwa’s call for uncompromising standards in public services.
“We have not been able to grade our roads properly in over a decade. Some of this machinery has never before existed in the history of this council. Now, we’re determined to do things differently and more efficiently,” he said.
Alderman Moyo noted that owning this equipment would allow the council to independently service residential stands, making them more affordable and accessible, especially for low-income earners. Previously, this work was carried out by land developers, who often inflated the costs for residents.
“Until now, we have had to rely on hired graders, which made routine road maintenance difficult and unsustainable. The new roller compactor will also allow us to address the long-standing issue of relocating the town’s dumpsite to a new landfill already designated for that purpose.
“We were unable to proceed due to a lack of suitable compaction equipment,” he said.
He emphasised that improving the road network and relocating the illegal dumpsite are critical steps in attracting investment to Gwanda.
As part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades, the council is also in the process of procuring materials such as gravel, tar and cement, to reduce dependency on external suppliers.
“Another challenge we faced was delayed responses to faults such as sewer and water pipe bursts, due to reliance on human labour. The TLB machine is multi-functional — it works as both an excavator and a front-end loader. This will be particularly useful for digging up sewer and water pipes, as well as storm water drains.
“The machine will allow us to respond much more promptly to faults, and it will also ease the burden on our workers, who have struggled with manual excavation in Gwanda’s rocky terrain,” said Alderman Moyo.
He said that the municipality intends to engage additional partners and financial institutions to help procure more earth-moving equipment, which he described as essential for the efficient functioning of any local authority.
He concluded by urging residents to continue meeting their rates obligations, as doing so enables the council to raise the funds necessary for further investments in service delivery. — @DubeMatutu
