MASVINGO City’s service delivery fleet of vehicles is virtually grounded,
while the local authority is unable to raise the $45 million required for service
spares in a single tranche.
The affected vehicles include refuse compactors and the Finance and General
Purposes Committee has recommended that management come up with a
phased programme giving priority to service vehicles.
“The committee gave consideration to the report of the Acting Director of
Engineering Services, Kudzaishe Mbetu, on the status of the council fleet with
bias towards service delivery vehicles. The report highlighted the spares
required to bring back each particular vehicle on the road, the cost of the spares,
and the date the requisition for the spares was raised.
It was reported that to repair the entire fleet and make it operational, $45 million
was required and this amount could not be raised at once. The committee noted
with “very serious concern” that most of the fleet, including the refuse
collection fleet, was down owing to non-procurement of spares and that this
would negatively affect service delivery,” reads part of the committee’s
minutes.
The City Fathers have budgeted for the procurement of one refuse compactor
this year in the local authority budget.
Meanwhile, the municipal police have called for the replacement of the vehicle
that is being used for cash-in-transit and to procure a tow truck.
“It was reported that the section made 1 925 arrests for the month under review
and raised an amount of US$19 950 and $28 974, 48. The report was noted. The
municipal police were urged to train and capacitate municipal guards to increase
efficiency,” read the minutes.
Members also highlighted the need to look for a suitable vehicle to replace the
one used for cash-in transit. Another proposal was made for council to procure a
tow truck. The proposals were noted and referred to management for further
deliberation.”