Outcry FOR Fair business share Bulawayo councillors raise alarm over outsider-dominated tenders

BULAWAYO councillors have raised concern over the “disproportionate” awarding of municipal tenders to companies based outside the city, warning that the trend risks weakening the local economy and limiting growth opportunities for home-grown businesses.

The councillors have called on the local authority to put in place measures to strengthen the capacity of Bulawayo-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to compete more effectively for city contracts.

Responding to the concerns, Bulawayo City Council Chamber Secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou, said the local authority was focusing on improving the competitiveness of local businesses and equipping them to participate in procurement processes.

She said there was a need for targeted training and capacity-building initiatives to help companies better understand bidding procedures and effectively utilise the Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system.

Mrs Zhou said that the eGP platform has transformed procurement processes by replacing traditional manual systems with a secure digital platform that manages the entire public procurement cycle.

“Any supplier interested in available opportunities can access published tenders through the system. However, there is a need for local businesses to familiarise themselves with the platform as some have indicated difficulties in using it,” she said.

Mrs Zhou said the procurement process is also subject to stringent auditing mechanisms, with the digital system creating an audit trail that allows the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) and other stakeholders to monitor transparency and accountability.

She further proposed engagement with organisations that have previously assisted local businesses in understanding and navigating procurement systems, including institutions that have worked closely with PRAZ.

Local authorities and businesses across the country have increasingly adopted digital procurement platforms as Government moves to enhance transparency, efficiency and fairness in public tender processes.

The matter is contained in the latest Finance and Development Committee report under the Procurement Report for January, February and March 2026.

Ward 3 Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu said there was a need for deliberate interventions to ensure that more local companies benefit from procurement opportunities.

Cllr Mahlangu emphasised that retaining financial resources within the city is critical to sustaining Bulawayo’s economic activity.

“The circulation of money within the city is important because it strengthens the local economy and contributes to the viability of Bulawayo,” said Cllr Mahlangu.

Ward 5 Councillor Dumisani Nkomo urged council to move swiftly in implementing the recommendations contained in the committee report, stressing the importance of setting clear timelines.

He also highlighted the need for close collaboration with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ).

“There should be timelines indicating when these recommendations will be implemented. The involvement of PRAZ is equally important,” Cllr Nkomo said.

Ward 26 Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, who chaired the committee meeting, warned that the continued awarding of contracts to companies from outside Bulawayo could undermine the city’s economic development objectives.

He said local businesses must be given fair opportunities to participate meaningfully in procurement processes.