Online Reporter
Lincoln Towindo
ZUPCO is set to begin the procurement of hundreds of new buses over the next three months, following the conclusion of key procurement processes, including securing supplier agreements and finalising financial terms, that had stalled the project for nearly a year.
The state-owned public transporter, which is among companies placed under the Mutapa Investment Fund, has been working to finalise the acquisition of 500 buses, a process that began in October 2023.
Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive Dr John Mangudya confirmed the development, saying what remains is to fulfil the financial terms agreed with suppliers before gradual procurement begins.
“The fund managed to closely work with Zupco on finalising the process of procurement of buses,” said Dr Mangudya.
“This should see Zupco acquiring new buses in the next three months and procurement of semi-knocked down kits from Ashok Leyland of India for the assembly of buses and trucks at Willowvale Motor Industries and Deven Engineering.”
He said procurement of the buses will be gradual.
“Zupco has been on this process for a long time — going up and down trying to acquire 500 buses,” he added.
“It has taken time to go through the requisite procurement processes.
“What is left now is to ensure that the financial terms agreed between Zupco and the suppliers are fulfilled.
“Procurement will then start gradually over the next few months,” he said.
Dr Mangudya said the bus acquisition is part of a broader dual strategy that will also see the revival of local bus and truck assembly through Willowvale Motor Industries and Deven Engineering.
The plan includes the procurement of semi-knocked down kits from Indian manufacturer Ashok Leyland for local assembly.
A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between Ashok Leyland and the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe (IDCZ) to support this initiative.
“This is now a two-pronged approach,” Dr Mangudya explained.
“On one hand, Zupco will be directly procuring buses from suppliers. At the same time, we want to enhance and revive local manufacturing through the assembly of buses and trucks in Zimbabwe.”
