Nearly half of Bulawayo City Council’s (BCC’s) vehicle fleet has been grounded by breakdowns, ageing equipment and maintenance backlogs, exposing a deepening operational crisis that is threatening service delivery across the city.
Critical departments responsible for refuse collection, road maintenance and water distribution are struggling to cope under severe transport constraints.
The local authority is seeking to procure more than US$2 million worth of vehicles and machinery.
A report tabled before council’s finance and development committee revealed that out of 327 vehicles and plant equipment, only 194 are operational, while 133 have been taken off the road.
“The remaining 133 units, constituting 40.7%, are non-operational and are awaiting spare parts, repairs, or are undergoing various stages of maintenance,” reads the report by acting director of works Methusi Dibidi.
The report said the ageing fleet had become a major obstacle to efficient service delivery, particularly in road maintenance, water and sanitation operations.
“A significant portion of the council’s fleet has exceeded its economic lifespan and is now obsolete.”
Council officials warned that the crisis was undermining the city’s ability to meet minimum service delivery targets for 2026.
“In order to meet the minimum service delivery standards set for 2026, the department needs to strengthen and expand its existing road maintenance fleet,” the report reads.
As a result, council is now seeking authority to use road and water levy funds to purchase tipper trucks, seven-tonne trucks, one-tonne service vehicles, double cabs and Toyota Land Cruisers for the works, water and sanitation departments.
According to the report, the replacement programme is expected to “reduce downtime caused by frequent mechanical breakdowns, minimise expenditure on repairs and equipment hire, and enhance operational reliability across council departments.”
The report also noted that tender processes had already been completed and contracts awarded, but implementation was awaiting funding approval.
Bulawayo residents continue to grapple with pothole-riddled roads, sewer bursts and delayed service response amid years of ageing infrastructure and financial strain at the local authority.
