Ronald Mpofu
PLUMTREE Town Council is rehabilitating flood-damaged roads and improving drainage in two suburbs as it steps up preparations for the rainy season, while seeking a US$340 000 loan to acquire its own construction equipment.
The council’s Engineering Department is working on roads in Madubes and Mathendele Extension, with each suburb set to benefit from the rehabilitation of up to 500 metres of road.
The works are targeting sections where residents struggled to access their properties during last year’s heavy rains because of flooding, low-lying road formations and inadequate drainage infrastructure.
Plumtree Town Council Acting Director of Engineering, Mr Nhlanhla Sibanda, said the project was intended to improve access from residential areas to main roads.
“These roads experience significant flooding during the rainy season. Property owners are ultimately unable to access their homes or egress from their properties to other locations. I can cite the example of a stand corner at Madubes near BBI, where extensive flooding has occurred within the yard, with the road being the primary contributing factor,” said Mr Sibanda.
“We have since raised the road formation level through the placement of gravel in order to control water flow. We will then proceed to improve the drainage alongside these roads so that storm water runoff can be managed effectively,” he added.
The acting director said the local authority had applied for a loan to purchase its own excavator, which would reduce equipment-hiring costs and improve service delivery.
“We have submitted an application for a loan to procure our own excavator, as this will reduce the costs currently being incurred by Council and improve service delivery,” said Mr Sibanda.
According to a council notice dated September 16, 2026, Notice 75 of 2026, the local authority notified residents of its intention to apply for borrowing powers to finance the acquisition of plant and equipment.
The proposed loan facility, to be sourced from ZB Bank, amounts to US$340 000 and will be used to purchase an excavator and a low-bed truck, also described in the notice as a horse and trailer.
Council said the equipment would support road, sewer and water reticulation construction and maintenance, while complementing its existing fleet.
“The loan facility is sought to acquire an excavator and a low-bed truck (horse and trailer) to complement the existing fleet used in service provision. The excavator will enhance efficiency in aggregate excavation and facilitate the loading of tipper trucks, ensuring a smooth process flow in construction and maintenance projects.
“The low-bed truck will provide reliable transportation of plant and machinery between project sites. This investment directly supports Council’s strategic objectives to meet minimum service delivery standards,” reads the notice.
