BULAWAYO City Council has filed a police report following the disappearance of road construction material worth over US$91 000 from the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry’s depot in Kelvin Industrial area.
The missing material include 300 drums containing Bitumen 70/100, Stable 60 and Medium-Curing cutback (MC30).
The revelations of the missing materials are captured in the latest council minutes on the updates regarding the drums disappearance.
The minutes state that the Works Department had reported on June 12 that the drums went missing as of May 12 this year.
Details show that 285 drums of Bitumen 70/100, nine drums of Stable 60, and 20 drums of MC30 with a total cost of US$91 272 went missing from the depot.
The total missing drums are 314.
The council minutes state that the drums were still missing and to date, the department, and chamber secretary Sikhangele Zhou had both produced detailed reports, while the audit team had produced a prediction report.
“The missing drums were reported at Western Commonage Police Station on June 6, 2025,” the minutes read.
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They stated that during the full council meeting, councillor Ntando Ndlovu enquired whether internal controls had been put in place to curb incidents like the stated one, where construction material goes missing.
“The chamber secretary (Zhou) advised that acquisition of fuel was under the financial services, who advised that new measures had been placed and the relevant staff members had been notified to adhere to the new measures,” the minutes further read.
Bitumen Penetration Grade 70/100 is a standard penetration grade the construction company usually uses as a paving grade suitable for road construction and for the production of asphalt pavements with superior properties.
This grade of Bitumen is mainly used in the manufacture of hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses.
Stable 60, also known as SS60 or STABLE 60, is a low-viscosity, anionic, slow-set bitumen emulsion primarily used in road construction and maintenance.
It’s a versatile product suitable for various applications like slurry seals, tack coats, fog seals and prime coats.
MC30 is a mixture of penetration-grade asphalt cement and a medium-volatility solvent, typically kerosene.
The solvent reduces the viscosity of the asphalt, making it easier to handle and apply, especially in cooler temperatures.
MC30 is commonly used as a prime coat on base courses before applying the surface course, and also in patching and stockpile mixture.
