Merchant Services Manager (Harare)

Library Technical Assistant

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Research, Innovation and Industry Linkage Officer (RIILO)

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Research Officers x2

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Innovation Lead (Engineering)

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Driver (Kariba)

Relief Drivers x8

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Contact Centre Agent-1 (Harare)

Switchboard Operator (OMAO) (Harare)

Procurement Manager (Bulawayo)

Auditor - ICT & Internal Control (Harare)

Legal Officer (Harare)

Auditor (Harare)

Director General (Harare)

The City of Bulawayo says residents will continue receiving water for only two days per week, as water levels continue to dwindle at major supply dams due to drought.
The current 120-hour weekly water-shedding period might be increased to 140 hours.
This was said by Bulawayo director of engineering services, Sikhumbuzo Ncube, on Tuesday, 12 March during a tour of some of the city’s water projects by Netherlands Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Margret Verwijk.
Verwijk visited several projects including the city’s Revenue Hall and four water kiosks that were installed around the city to improve access to water.
The four water kiosks are located in Magwegwe (two), Cowdray Park, and Nkulumane.
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city is experiencing a 120-hour water-shedding period as it seeks to conserve water. Said Ncube (<a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/120-hour-water-shedding-to-continue-till-supplies-improve/">via Chronicle</a>):
<blockquote>
We all appreciate that the water situation remains critical. Our water levels in the city dams are at 41 percent yet we are approaching the end of the rainy season.
This means we are going to sustain the 120-hour weekly water shedding period for a prolonged period maybe up to December.
By June we might even need to review the water shedding programme depending on the water situation in our dams. We might need to increase to a 140 hour-weekly water shedding period.
At the moment we will try to maintain the 120 weekly water shedding, meaning residents will continue to receive water twice a week.
</blockquote>
Verwijk said that The Netherlands has a lot of expertise in water resource management and it was encouraging to see communities being involved in protecting water infrastructure in Bulawayo.
Communities are in charge of the water kiosks and bear the costs of repairing any infrastructure that is damaged. Said the diplomat:
<blockquote>
I come from a country, which is very small. It fits into Mashonaland West, it is very tiny but water and water management is something that we have mastered very well.
Some of the land we gained from the sea, we didn’t occupy anyone’s land, we took it from the sea.
Water management and protecting ourselves from the sea and utilising all the rivers in the Netherlands for the purposes of production agriculture, household water consumption is something that we are specialised in.
So, it is very nice to see that Dutch water utilities and water operations are supporting your community in accessing potable and clean water. It is important, water is life.
</blockquote>
Verwijk said her country has been supporting water management in Bulawayo, Mutare and Harare, with the aim of providing safe drinking water to communities.
She urged residents to pay their bills saying “Water is not for free, clean potable water is very valuable and it was good to see that people start to understand that, so that the revenues are actually realised.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Bulawayo's 120-hour Water Shedding May Be Raised To 140 Hours

The government has pledged to assist the City of Bulawayo address the city’s perennial acute water shortages.
Bulawayo’s water supply has been dwindling for years, exacerbated by factors such as climate change, population growth, and poor resource management.
Addressing journalists in Bulawayo this week, Local Government and Public Works Minister Winston Chitando, said (via Southern Eye):
<blockquote>
There was a disbursement of ZWL$6.9 billion at the end of February for the City of Bulawayo as part of devolution funds.
Some of that money is required in local currency and some of it in foreign currency depending on the nature of what the local authority projects to be implemented.
For example, if they want to buy cement they will use that local currency, but if they want to purchase inputs from outside the country they will now need to go to the foreign exchange mechanism to get money through the central bank.
We are going to have a regular conduct to see how we as a ministry of governance can then play that interface role with the Finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to ensure we have critical situations like we have here whereby we try to facilitate [on] foreign currency.
</blockquote>
Chitando said the short-term solution to the water situation in Bulawayo is to improve security at Nyamandlovu. He said:
<blockquote>
The short-term measure to address the water situation in Bulawayo, firstly is the security arrangements at Nyamandlovu that will be implemented.
There is a need to source for the US$14m required and BCC has a number of partners to participate in funding the project-we will assist the city to get foreign currency to address the water situation in the short term period.
</blockquote>
The Nyamandlovu Aquifer is a crucial water source located in the Forest Sandstone region near Bulawayo.
Boreholes in the area typically range from 30 to 100 meters deep, with varying water levels.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Pledges To Assist Bulawayo Address Water Crisis

Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart has urged residents not to panic about the current water situation, saying the local authority is devising strategies to ensure the availability of the precious liquid throughout the dry season.
On 24 February this year, the Bulawayo City Council advised residents of water supply interruptions and suspension of the 120-hour water shedding programme to all city areas except industry and the Central Business District.
In a statement, Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the move was in response to reduced raw water pumping to the city as a result of a fault which occurred at Ncema Pump Station.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Skhumbuzo Ncube, said the water situation has been worsening since 2018.
However, speaking during the stakeholder consultative meeting to unpack the local authority’s service delivery blueprint, which was launched by President Mnangagwa on 01 November 2023, Coltart said residents should not panic. Said Coltart (<a href="https://cite.org.zw/no-need-to-panic-bulawayo-mayor-assures-residents-amid-water-crisis/">via CITE</a>):
<blockquote>
It is very important that our general public understand our strategy. Nyamandlovu is our strategy to get it up to full capacity and to protect it.
To do that, we need the police and possibly even the army. If we protect Nyamandlovu, that will help because that water comes into Magwegwe, and Magwegwe supplies the high-density suburbs.
</blockquote>
He said the second strategy is the Mtshabezi Dam, which is over 70 per cent full and the lifeline of the city. Said Coltart:
<blockquote>
We have a strategy where our engineers have devised a plan to protect that water and increase the flow from Mtshabezi.
It is the construction of a 2.5km bypass pipeline. It’s a small job, it can be done, and when it’s done, it will improve the water.
</blockquote>
He said the other strategy is the rehabilitation of Insiza Dam, “We will, as a city, get through this crisis. We must not panic.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Mayor Says Residents Should Not Panic Over Water Crisis

Bulawayo residents have urged authorities to consider regularising the unregistered pirate taxi operators (mushikashika) to tackle the transport crisis in the city.
The ongoing blitz by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and police against errant kombi and pirate taxi operators has resulted in transport challenges for commuters which leave many stranded during peak hours.
The local authority together with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) launched the operation against pirate taxis and kombis defying a directive to move to the upgraded Egodini bus terminus.
Speaking to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/regularise-pirate-taxis-council-urged/">Chronicle</a>, Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) chairman Winos Dube said there is a need for the council and leaders of taxi associations to meet to map a way forward. He said:
<blockquote>
Pirate taxis are also an interested party in the transport sector because, in some suburbs, residents rely on them for transport. Authorities must also try and engage them to regularise their operations.
These pirate taxi operators also pose a danger to human life as they are always speeding whenever they encounter police.
They should be registered in terms of the law and offered places of operation.
</blockquote>
The Mayor of Bulawayo, Councillor David Coltart said the local authority is not opposed to registering pirate taxis as long as they abide by the law. He said:
<blockquote>
If there are public entities interested in operating in the transport sector they have to apply and follow the necessary channels.
This is done to protect the people from harm, as most of these taxis are driven by unlicensed individuals.
They need to be properly licensed and go through a vetting system. We cannot, as a city, have an unregulated system that causes chaos and mayhem.
</blockquote>
The transport crisis has mostly affected commuters from the city’s northern and eastern suburbs which are only serviced by pirate taxis.
A Honda Fit driver, who plies the Matopos road route, Dumani Ndhlovu told the Chronicle that they are willing to cooperate with police and the council for them to regularise their operations.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Council Urged To Regularise "Mushikashika"

The City of Bulawayo has finally yielded to pressure from residents to allow informal traders operating at the 5th Avenue market in the city centre to operate legally.
Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube announced the latest development in a statement issued on Thursday, 08 February. He said:
<blockquote>
The Bulawayo City Council at its meeting of 7 February 2024 resolved to temporarily close a portion of 5th Avenue to accommodate 500 informal trading bays.
The closure of a portion of 5th Avenue will comply with the Roads Act Chapter 13:13 Part VI Section 33 and rescind previous Council resolutions of 3rd June 2020 and 7 December 2022.
The portion of 5th Avenue will now have two riding lanes and vending bays for the 500 informal traders.
Council recognises the need to strike a balance amongst multiple functionalities such as parking, informal trading, vehicular traffic movement and access to property by property owners, hence the closure of a portion of 5th Avenue.
The temporary closure will ensure that all road users including property owners from the Southern side can park their vehicles close to their working spaces.
The decision to temporarily close 5th Avenue is a result of stakeholder engagement and further dovetails into the City of Bulawayo’s strategy to enhance local economic development through the provision of accessible and affordable working spaces.
The temporary closure of 5th Avenue will be complemented by the establishment of a new vending site for clothing and fruits along Lobengula Street between the 2nd Avenue terminus and the municipal Roads Yard.
We expect all traders on 5th Avenue to vacate the road to allow the implementation of the Council resolution. 
The execution of the resolution will entail cleaning the area, demarcation of bays, construction of safe working spaces and allocation of vending bays in the usual manner.
</blockquote>
Dube said to be registered, informal traders should produce a copy of their identity document (I.D), processed fingerprint forms, proof of residence for a property in Bulawayo, two passport-size photos and requisite fees for the licence.
He said for those trading in fruits and vegetables, pre-examination for contagious diseases and lessons on food handling with the City of Bulawayo Health Services Department (Khami Road Clinic) is required.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Legalises Vending In CBD

The Bulawayo City Council has reiterated that all taxi operators, informal traders and the commuting public should have moved to designated vending sites and designated taxi ranks at Egodini Mall by the end of the day on Friday, 09 February.
In a statement, Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart warned that traders operating outside the confines of the City’s by-laws will be dealt with accordingly. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The Reopening of Egodini Mall Taxi Rank and Informal Traders Market
The City of Bulawayo in partnership with Terracotta Pvt Ltd reopened the Egodini Mall for Commuter Omnibus operators and commuting public on Monday, 5th February 2024.
As advised in our earlier notice dated Sunday, 28 January 2024 we expect all taxi operators and Informal Traders to have moved to designated vending sites and designated taxi ranks by the end of the day, Friday, 9th February 2024.
There has been movement into the Egodini Mall Taxi Rank and Informal Traders Market (Phase 1) by the Taxi operators and commuting public and it is anticipated that as the days progress, there will be more and more of them moving into the rank.
The movement of taxis into the Egodini Mall Taxi Rank and Informal Traders Market is gaining momentum since the commencement of the relocation exercise early this week. The engagement of commuters and operators is ongoing.
The City of Bulawayo is also working on enhancing enforcement to ensure that members of the public use the designated taxi rank.
The Egodini Mall Taxi Rank and Informal Traders Market (Phase 1) has availed 400 bays currently and is further expected to avail 767 more bays in the future bringing the number of bays to 1167 in total.
The verification process for Informal Traders at the Egodini Mall Taxi Rank and Informal Traders Market (Phase 1) has been finalized with all 400 available bays now allocated.
The procedure was done using the following preference on a first come first serve basis;
Informal traders who were relocated from Egodini and are on Council’s registry. Informal traders who are on Council’s waiting list.
To date, there has been a spillover where people have signed for the next batches of vending bays.
The City of Bulawayo has a deliberate policy to deliver safe work spaces and settle Informal Traders to decongest the City.
The policy seeks to further allow vendors to trade in Suburban areas while also establishing markets in Western areas such as the Nkulumane Safe Market at Nkulumane Complex, which is almost complete.
The vending bays in the Western areas allow proximity to the markets and reduce operating costs. A total of 10000 informal bays are available throughout the City and we urge Informal Traders to regularize their operations by registering with our offices at Basch Street.
In addition, the City has also designated 2nd Avenue and Lobengula Street as a designated Informal Trading site with approximately 700 bays earmarked and these are currently under construction.
The City of Bulawayo is also in the process of developing and decongesting Fifth Avenue where a further ± 500 bays will be established.
We thank the residents of Bulawayo for adhering to our bylaws and operating from designated vending areas.
The City remains committed to improving livelihoods by providing appropriate working spaces for the informal sector.
Traders operating outside the confines of the City’s bylaws will be dealt with accordingly.
The City of Bulawayo is on high alert for the prevention and mitigation of cholera and efforts continue to be intensified to improve overall sanitation in the City.
We urge all Traders to operate from designated sites and maintain high levels of sanitation.
The Official Opening of Phase 1 of the Egodini Mall Taxi Rank and Informal Traders Market will be conducted once the initial pilot phase of relocation has been completed and fine-tuned.
SENATOR DAVID COLTART HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR
08 February 2024
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Mayor's Statement On The Reopening Of Egodini Mall | Full Statement

The Bulawayo City Council has ordered street vendors to stop trading from undesignated sites by 09 February or be chased away by municipal police.
In a statement, City of Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said all informal traders in the city must have a valid Vendors Licence. He said:
<blockquote>
All illegal informal traders are warned and advised to move to designated sites no later than February 9, 2024.
Registered informal traders who have abandoned their bays and/or are not paying the requested council fees are advised to return to their bays and regularise their operations.
All informal traders in Bulawayo are required to have a valid Vendors Licence.
</blockquote>
As reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/bulawayo-gives-illegal-vendors-public-transporters-february-9-ultimatum/">ZimLive</a>, kombis (commuter omnibuses) are also being moved back to Egodini after eight years following the completion of the first phase of a project to build a mall.
The mall has 400 vending stalls with 350 more set to be added.
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart estimates 5 000 street vendors are trading in the CBD, a large majority of them illegally.
The council charges monthly rentals of US$11.50 for CBD bays or a one-off annual fee of US$23.
Outside the CBD the charges are US$5.75 per month and a one-off annual fee of US$11.50. 
The local authority also warned it clamp down on a wide range of illegal activities, including the washing of cars in the city centre, street vehicle repairs, public transport operators using illegal pick-up points, vehicles delivering farm produce and littering. Added Dube:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo will be conducting an exercise to eliminate all illegal activities to restore order and cleanliness.
All informal traders are requested to keep the city clean by ensuring that their trading places are cleared after trading hours and are further advised that the full force of the law will be implemented against those who continue to breach the relevant bylaws both immediately, after the deadline and going forward.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the City of Bulawayo has advised residents that the transporting of commuters from Egodini shall begin on Monday 5th February 2024.
The high rate of unemployment in Zimbabwe has pushed thousands of people into vending, with most of the traders operating from undesignated places such as pavements in urban areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Council Orders Illegal Vendors, Public Transporters To Vacate CBD By 09 February

Bulawayo residents who bought residential stands in Magwegwe West and Pumula are contemplating taking legal action after the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) demanded that they top up the money they paid for the stands in foreign currency.
Residents bought the housing stands in 2016 and are still waiting for the areas to be serviced.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) secretary for administration Thembelani Dube told <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local-news/article/200022036/bulawayo-council-residents-at-loggerheads-over-us-top-fees">Southern Eye on Sunday</a> that the council was changing goalposts. Said Dube:
<blockquote>
The top-up violates the initial agreements that the buyers had with the local authority during the time the stands were available. Any deviation from that calls for legal action.
</blockquote>
He said BPRA was waiting for feedback from the Government after it submitted a petition on the council’s demands.
BCC is demanding as much as US$6 000 depending on the size of the stand in top-ups.
The local authority is also threatening to repossess the land over failure to pay the fees.
Dube said the council had done nothing to develop the stands in Magwegwe West and Ntemba in Pumula, among other areas.
Bulawayo, like many urban areas in Zimbabwe, sells unserviced housing stands to desperate home-seekers due to a huge housing backlog.
Due to the unavailability of proper roads, running water and sewer systems, the quality of life for residents is compromised.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Council, Residents Clash Over US Dollar Top-up Fees

The City of Bulawayo in partnership with Tendy Three Investments plans to roll out the first phase of CCTV surveillance of major roads in February 2024 to curb crime in the city.
The cameras will watch the areas around intersections and check the speed at which vehicles are travelling at traffic lights, conduct traffic counts and record traffic violations.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/byo-city-rolls-out-cctv-camera-project/">State media</a>, Tendy Three managing director Lizwe Mabuza said the first CCTV cameras will be installed from Clement Muchachi Road (formerly 13th Avenue) to E. D. Mnangagwa Way (formerly 6th Avenue) along Robert Mugabe Way and Queen Lozikeyi Street (formerly Fife Street) in the city centre. Said Mabuza:
<blockquote>
That will be phase one as we will be testing how the system will operate. Having cameras installed on the streets will help in the fight against crime, especially theft from cars.
Through these cameras, police will be able to view the footage which will help in tracking down criminals thus creating a peaceful atmosphere which is also good for investment because no business would want to operate in a crime-ridden city.
At the moment, as Tendy Three we are employing 356 workers, and most of them are aged 30 years and below, and they are all locals.
As we expand our parking bays, we have to rehabilitate some of the roads, and this will result in us employing another 100 youths.
</blockquote>
Bulawayo City Council spokesperson, Nesisa Mpofu recently told the Sunday News that the local authority generated US$700 000 in revenue between January and October from its parking bays.
Mpofu said the funds will be used in the rehabilitation of the city’s road network which is in a bad state.
She said 75 per cent of the city roads have been damaged and more than US$700 million is required to rehabilitate them.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Plans To Install CCTV Cameras At Road Intersections

The Mayor of Bulawayo, David Coltart says the funds allocated to the construction of dams in the 2024 National Budget are inadequate.
Mthuli Ncube, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, allocated ZWL$389 towards dam construction projects in the country. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
Under the 2024 National Budget overall support towards dam dam construction projects amounts to Z$389 billion with priority being on the completion of the Gwayi-Shangani dam and pipeline with the dam now at the advanced stage of completion.
Other targetted dams include Kunzvi Dam with the associated treatment plant and conveyancing pipeline, Ziminya, Tulu-Manyange, Bindura, Semwa, Silverstroom and Vungu dams.
</blockquote>
However, Coltart said the total amount allocated to dam construction is less than a quarter of the amount needed for the Gwaai-Shangani to Bulawayo pipeline alone. He said:
<blockquote>
Professor Ncube states that a total of ZWL$369 billion has been allocated for the construction of ALL dams and pipelines in Zimbabwe next year.
He states that his priority is “the completion of the Gwaai Shangani dam and pipeline.”
ZWL$369 billion equates to US$67 million. The Gwaai Shangani to Bulawayo pipeline alone is expected to cost a minimum of US$400 million.
Accordingly, if every single cent of this budget allocation is applied to the pipeline alone it will still take almost 6 years to complete at this rate.
Obviously, it will be much longer than this because the Z$369 billion is the total applied for all dam projects.
Bulawayo simply cannot wait another decade or more. Our engineers insist that our short-term water needs are best served by duplicating the pipelines from the Insiza and Mtshabezi dams to Ncema purification works and building the Glassblock Dam (which will cost about half the cost of the Gwaai Shangani/Bulawayo pipeline.)
I implore the central Government to take what our engineers say seriously. We cannot afford to allow Bulawayo to run out of water when we have water supplies right on our doorstep.
</blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo has been grappling with water shortages for decades as its supply dams cannot provide enough water for the city throughout the year.
The city depends on six supply dams, Insiza, Inyankuni, Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Umzingwane, and Mtshabezi which are all located in Matabeleland South Province.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"ZWL$369 Billion Allocated To Dam Construction Projects Too Little"

The City of Bulawayo may be forced to prolong the 72-hour water-shedding regime due to the low levels of water in the city’s supply dams, reported <a href="https://cite.org.zw/bulawayo-braces-for-extended-water-shedding-as-dam-levels-dwindle/">CITE</a>.
Bulawayo depends on six supply dams, Insiza, Inyankuni, Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Umzingwane, and Mtshabezi which are all located in Matabeleland South Province.
Speaking to journalists during a tour of the dams on Friday, Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Corporate Communications Manager Nesisa Mpofu said:
<blockquote>
From what we have seen, unfortunately, we must maintain the water shedding because our dams are low.
And, we have to be mindful that sometimes we have electricity outages, which affect the current water schedule and result in some residents spending more time without water.
Sometimes it will be an issue of water pipe bursts. If that occurs, we have to shut down the whole area that is affected until the situation is resolved.
We also need to address the issue of supply of materials. As residents, we have to play our part by paying our bills on time.
Without adequate materials, it becomes difficult to attend to some of the challenges that contribute to water shedding.
</blockquote>
The chairperson of the Future Water and Action Committee, Cllr Edwin Sibanda, said that they have forwarded a proposal to the council to buy more pumps as a short-term measure and to build another dam as a medium-term solution to the water shortages. Said Sibanda:
<blockquote>
The water situation in the city is very dire. We need to up our game and come up with immediate solutions.
We propose to construct another dam to complement the existing ones. We have seen the water levels, they are very low.
This tour has shown us the water levels in our supply dams and we have seen their capacity but it cannot save the City of Bulawayo which has grown over the years.
So as the Future Water and Action Committee, we propose that we construct a new dam. We currently have a proposal to construct the Glass Block dam in Filabusi which could supply at least 70 percent of our water requirements in the city. So basically that is our short to medium-term plan.
Secondly, we need to buy new pumps. At Umzingwane only one out of four pumps is working. We do have water but our pumping capacity is below what we require.
The short term can be getting new pumps and the medium term can be the construction of a new dam.
The pumping system needs to be improved as a matter of urgency and we also need to pray that we can get better rains so that the water level can improve.
In the previous council, it was said that the water that is left may sustain us for six months only but according to the law we need to leave a certain amount of water that will keep aqua life alive so technically speaking the water might not even reach the six months. We are in serious trouble as a city if we do not get enough rain.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, meteorologists say Zimbabwe is likely to receive less than average rainfall leading to a drought in the 2023/24 rainy season due to the El Niño climate phenomenon.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) recently said the ongoing El Niño event is expected to last at least until April 2024.
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kFXBnHvGuuI?feature=oembed" title="BCC Corporate Communications Manager Nesisa Mpofu says water shedding will continue." width="640"></iframe></div>

More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Braces For Prolonged Water Rationing

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has said the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Dynamos Football Club should undertake the repair works at Barbourfields Stadium which was damaged by football hooligans on 10 September 2023.
The Glamour Boys were hosting Highlanders in a PSL match which was abandoned in the 38th minute when Highlanders fans threw objects on the pitch before charging at police officers and match officials.
Dynamos have been made to pay for the damage to the facility as they were the hosts on the day.
According to the latest council report seen by <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/dembare-psl-to-pay-for-bf-damage-bcc/">The Sunday News</a>, BCC pegged the costs of repairs to the damages caused at US$4 121. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
On Sunday 10 September 2023, Babourfields Stadium hosted a match pitting Highlanders Football Club and Dynamos Football Club.
However, the match was aborted just less than 40 minutes of play due to crowd trouble.
This resulted in the vandalism of the facility notably the exit gates, perimeter fence, pitch drainage, fourth match official’s bench and corner flags were stolen.
The quoted cost of repair of damages was US$ 4 121.
The Premier Soccer League and Dynamos, as the host club, had since been advised to effect the repair works as per policy.
</blockquote>
Last month, the PSL slapped Dynamos with a US$3 500 fine, of which US$500 was suspended for a season on condition the club does not commit similar offences.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Dynamos, PSL Ordered To Pay For Barbourfields Stadium Damage

Bulawayo City Council has threatened to take legal action against individuals who fix roads without authorisation.
In a notice dated 26 May 2023, Bulawayo town clerk Christopher Dube reminded stakeholders that the law stipulates that the planning, design, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation and management of all roads under a local authority’s jurisdiction are its responsibility. He added:
<blockquote>
In accordance with section 53 of the Roads Act, Part IX, if any person does any act which he has not been authorised to do by the road authority concerned, the city may, by notice in writing, direct the person, at his own expenses and within such period as shall be specified in the notice, to restore the land to the condition in which it was before the unauthorised act.
If the person fails to comply with the direction within the period specified, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level four, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
The road authority may cause to be carried out such work as may be necessary to restore the land and may recover from the person concerned any expense incurred in the work.
</blockquote>
This comes as there has been a proliferation of illegal road rehabilitation in various parts of the city, with most of the illegal road rehabilitators asking for money from motorists.
In October 2022, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) raised concern over “dangerous and illegal acts” by some members of the public who were repairing roads using bricks and soil around towns. ZRP spokesperson assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi said at the time:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has noted with concern the dangerous and illegal acts being conducted by certain individuals and groups on the roads around suburbs and towns in the country.
The individuals and groups purporting to be conducting road repairs through heaps of bricks and soil.
In the process, the flow of traffic is disturbed while the lives of these individuals are at risk. Some are even leaving heaps of soil and bricks on the roads while others remove the purported bricks and soil structures once payment has been received as they solicit for more payments or contributions from motorists.
The public is urged to report these individuals and groups to the Police as their activities are interfering with road safety principles.
The Police also cautions individuals who are moving with some wheelchairs and children and then wait at traffic lights (robots) to seek for donations or assistance from the public.
This is again interfering with traffic movements and endangering lives of the individuals.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores the public to be safety conscious on the roads and avoid disturbing the flow of traffic besides putting their lives at risk.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Council Threatens To Sue Individuals "Illegally" Repairing Roads

The City of Bulawayo has appointed Sikhumbuzo Mangisi Ncube as the Director of Engineering Services.
In a statement released on Sunday, Town Clerk Christopher Dube said Ncube’s appointment is effective from 01 April 2023. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo is pleased to announce the appointment of Engineer Sikhumbuzo Mangisi Ncube to the position of Director of Engineering Services with effect from the 1st of April 2023.
Eng. Ncube is a holder of an Executive Master of Business Administration Degree (2009 – 2011) and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Degree in Civil and Water Engineering (1998-2003) from the National University of Science and Technology.
He also holds numerous professional and academic certificates from various courses and training.
He began his professional career as Student Engineer with Stewarts and Llyods – Bulawayo Office in 2002.
He then joined the Zimbabwe National Water Authority after his graduation where he worked as a Projects and Planning Engineer, and Water Supplies Engineer (2004 – 2006).
He also worked with Proplastics, a Division of Murray and Roberts as a Design and Sales Engineer and Acting Regional Sales Manager (2006-2007).
He thereafter joined World Vision Zimbabwe where he held several roles such as Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Engineer and Water and Sanitation Coordinator.
Eng Ncube joined the City of Bulawayo as a Senior Engineer – Waste Water in 2010 and also worked as a Senior Engineer – Water Distribution before his promotion to Principal Engineer – Strategic Planning (2015-2018).
He was further promoted to the position of Deputy Director of Engineering Services (Water and Sanitation) in February 2018 and has been Acting Director in the Engineering Services Department from January 2022 till his appointment.
Sikhumbuzo Ncube is a dynamic Engineer with demonstrated history and substantial experience in all aspects of civil engineering and water and sanitation project planning, implementation and management.
He has worked on a number of flagship projects including the Bulawayo Water and Sewerage Services Project (BWSSIP) funded by the African Development Bank as Coordinator and Technical Specialist, Local Coordinator with the Netherlands-funded WaterWorx project, Climate Change Expert, Nyamandlovu Aquifer construction, rehabilitation of earth dams and establishment of irrigation schemes and has represented the City in other national projects.
He has a lot of expertise in feasibility studies and proposal writing, project planning design and stakeholder participation and involvement for sustainable WASH Solutions.
He also has experience in contract management, project administration and exposure with different funding institutions.
Eng Ncube is a Corporate Member of the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers, Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe, Committee Member of the Matabeleland Chapter (ZIE) (2017-2022), Committee Member of Bridge Building and Water Network Competition for National High Schools under Matabeleland ZIE (2017-2022), Former member of the Zimbabwe Emergency Response Team (ZERT) with World Vision (2008-2009) and Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) Committee Member (2018-2019). He is also a board member of various organisations and institutions.
Sikhumbuzo is married to Eng Mercy Ncube and together they have three children.
The City of Bulawayo congratulates Eng. Sikhumbuzo Mangisi Ncube on his appointment and wishes him well in the execution of his duties.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

City Of Bulawayo Appoints New Director Of Engineering Services

The Government has authorised the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to recruit 500 healthcare workers to be deployed at the city’s 19 clinics.
The local authority has been hit by an exodus of critical health personnel and this has negatively impacted service delivery in the city.
The <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/council-gets-nod-to-recruit-500-health-workers/">Chronicle</a> reported that the City of Bulawayo requires a staff complement of 186 nursing staff to operate at full capacity and presently, there are 87 nurses.
According to the latest council minutes, some of the health personnel that the local authority intends to recruit include dentists and nurses.
Responding to questions raised during a recent full council meeting, the town clerk, Christopher Dube, said:
<blockquote>
Council will soon be recruiting dentists and other health workers to alleviate the situation as the parent ministry had authorised the recruitment of 500 staff members.
Emakhandeni and Nkulumane Clinics have been earmarked for extended dental care services to decentralise the service to other suburbs.
</blockquote>
In an interview with the Chronicle on Tuesday, Bulawayo deputy mayor Councillor Mlandu Ncube said residents were being forced to travel long distances seeking medical care. He said:
<blockquote>
We had serious concerns pertaining to the long hours spent by residents seeking health services from our clinics due to staff shortages.
We are happy that we have been given the green light to recruit 500 workers to address the problem.
Our residents were being short-changed and the situation had reached alarming levels such that some had to walk extra kilometres to nearby clinics to access healthcare.
</blockquote>
Ncube said recruitment is ongoing and they expect that by the end of April this year, the situation will have improved.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Gets Approval To Recruit 500 Health Workers

The City of Bulawayo said that it has requested ZESA to give them advance notices of at least an hour before power cuts to allow the local authority to shut down the pumps properly.
Bulawayo City Council has been spending millions of dollars purchasing and installing new water pumps at its main pumping stations to ease Bulawayo’s water problems.
This was said by acting council director of engineering services, Sikhumbuzo Ncube during a stakeholders briefing meeting on Friday.
Ncube said unscheduled power cuts were damaging water pumps. <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/bcc-engages-zesa-on-power-cuts/">The Sunday News</a> quoted Ncube as saying:
<blockquote>
The kind of pumps that we have need proper shutdown of at least an hour or so. The challenge is that there is no proper power cut schedule which then affects our pumps. 
Council has requested ZESA to give advance notices of at least an hour to enable procedural shutdown of pumps.
We have also engaged the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and this led to the installation of a 500 Kva transformer with enough capacity to power one booster for the pumps.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is suffering a prolonged power shortage, especially after its main Kariba hydropower plant in December 2022 cut electricity generation due to low water levels.
The problem has been compounded by frequent breakdowns at Hwange Thermal Power Station, the shortage of coal to fire Harare, Bulawayo and Munyati power stations, and failure to pay for power imports from neighbouring countries.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Engages ZESA On Power Cuts

Nine (9) Bulawayo City Council (BCC) municipal police officers who allegedly fired at vendors with rubber bullets last month have been granted bail.
The <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bcc-municipal-police-granted-bail/">Chronicle</a> reported that Ignatius Nyathi (51), Herbert Khumalo (55), Ntokozo Moyo (46), Lungton Moyo (42), Cent Moyo (49) Bekisipho Ncube (50) Lawrence Mathwasa (60 Bekezela Ncube 56, Mthabisi Moyo (30) appeared in court each facing two counts of attempted murder.
They were granted ZWL$50 000 bail each by Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza, who remanded them to 14 March.
As part of the bail conditions, the accused were ordered to report once a week at Bulawayo Central Police Station (homicide section).
Allegations were that on 23 February 2023, at around 7 AM, the accused persons were part of a team of municipal police who were on duty dispersing illegal vendors in Bulawayo Central Business District.
The court heard that the team was dispersing illegal vendors from an undesignated area along 5th Avenue between Lobengula Street and Jason Moyo Street.
They encountered a group of people chanting protest songs against BCC security details. Prosecutor Concilia Ncube said:
<blockquote>
The accused persons who were armed with shotguns fired 41 shots indiscriminately towards the protesting group and as a result, Concilia Ndlovu was shot in the left hand and sustained an injury and there is a lodged foreign object which is yet to be extracted.
</blockquote>
It is alleged that Ndlovu was not part of the group and was carrying out her normal business.
The second complainant Prosper Munemo was shot in the groin and sustained injuries.
The accused were released after their lawyers Messrs Herbert Chimbete and Maqhawe Mpofu of Coghlan and Welsh Legal Practitioners successfully applied for bail.
The State had opposed bail arguing that there was no guarantee that if released, the accused persons would not abscond given the gravity of the offence.
More <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Municipal Cops Who Fired At Vendors Granted Bail

The City of Bulawayo has recommissioned two supply dams following significant inflows since the onset of the 2022/23 rainy season.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) draws its water from six dams — Inyankuni, Mtshabezi, Insiza, Lower Ncema, Umzingwane and Upper Ncema.
According to the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/news/article/200007966/bcc-recommissions-2-supply-dams">Southern Eye</a>, Umzingwane was decommissioned last year in September due to low water levels and Upper Ncema a month later.
BCC then implemented a 72-hour water-shedding programme to manage the water in the four remaining dams.
The water-rationing programme is still being implemented despite the improved water levels at the dams.
In a notice issued on 20 February, town clerk Christopher Dube said that all supply dams were now back on line. Read the notice:
<blockquote>
Insiza Mayfair is 73,16% full with 119 993 718 cubic metres of usable water, Inyankuni is 45,61% full with 33 610 310 cubic metres usable water, Lower Ncema is 30,96% full with 4 917 652 usable water, Umzingwane is 17,27% full with 5 926 960 cubic metres usable water, Upper Ncema is 41,68% full with 17 126 760 cubic metres usable water, and Mtshabezi is 74,75% full with 36 789 760 cubic metres usable water.
</blockquote>
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) chairperson Ambrose Sibindi said the council should suspend water rationing. He said:
<blockquote>
They must go further and suspend the water-shedding schedule for some months to give residents relief.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More: Pindula News</a>

City Of Bulawayo Recommissions Two Supply Dams

Bulawayo Town Clerk, Christopher Dube, on Wednesday suspended the city’s health services director, Dr. Edwin Sibanda, over alleged incompetence.
Sibanda is blamed for deteriorating environmental standards in the Central Business District.
Bulawayo mayor Councillor Solomon confirmed the suspension saying council will deal with the matter once it is furnished with the relevant reports. Solomon Mguni:
<blockquote>
There has been public discontent with the manner in which the Environmental Health Branch; under the City Health Department has been performing.
Garbage has been accumulating in the Central Business District and shopping centres.
In keeping with his supervisory role over Heads of Departments; the Chief Executive Officer has exercised his prerogative and instruments of power. We take note of this development.
We also respect the rights of the affected employee. Due process will kick in; once council is furnished with the relevant reports.
</blockquote>
The council’s general purposes committee is expected to receive and deliberate on the suspension on Friday after which a special council meeting can be convened to deliberate on the suspension. | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/byo-health-services-director-suspended/">The Sunday News</a>

Bulawayo Health Services Director Suspended For Incompetence

The Bulawayo City Council on Wednesday called off its planned operation to clamp down on all illegal activities in the city amid security fears raised by various stakeholders.
Last week, the city’s town clerk, Christopher Dube gave those involved in illegal activities in the city up to Tuesday this week to cease their activities or be forcibly removed in the operation that was scheduled to commence this Wednesday.
But speaking during a consultative meeting with the business community on Wednesday, BCC Chamber Secretary, Sikhangele Zhou, said the operation was shelved pending the holding of a security sector meeting. She said:
<blockquote>
There was an expectation maybe from everyone in the city that today they would be a lot of enforcement around the city, however, there was a lot of polarisation regarding the enforcement and there were people who were preparing this and that which is why there had to be a security sector meeting this morning.
There was a general sentiment that while we plan to bring sanity, we might end up having skirmishes like looting and all sorts of activities of that nature.
As a city, we were ready to start the enforcement today but when we contacted our counterparts, the ZRP, they felt it was wise to wait for today’s meeting so the whole security sector will map a proper way forward and we enforce without putting anything in danger.
</blockquote>
Zhou said the council police have no arresting powers so they have to work with the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Illegal activities targeted by the operation include vending on undesignated sites on the streets, pavements and roadways, washing of cars, repairing of vehicles, illegal pickup points by private vehicles, commuter omnibuses and buses, delivery of farm produce and other products onto the streets, push carts, heavy commercial vehicles into the city centre which have all resulted in serious congestion, chaos, littering as well as an increase in pickpocketing. | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/council-blitz-shelved-amid-security-concerns/">The Sunday News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Blitz Shelved Amid Fears Of Skirmishes, Looting

The City of Bulawayo has announced its intentions to clear the streets of all informal traders, those washing cars, plying illegal pick-up and drop-off points, and push carts next week on Wednesday.
In a notice, the Town Clerk Christopher Dube gave the illegal operators until Tuesday next week to stop their activities. He said:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo would like to advise all stakeholders that it will be conducting an exercise to rid the City of all unauthorized activities with effect from Wednesday, 11 January 2023.
All persons conducting unauthorized informal trading on undesignated sites in the City of Bulawayo (on the streets, pavements, roadways), washing of cars, repairing of vehicles, illegal pickup points by private vehicles, commuter omnibuses and buses, delivery of farm produce and other products onto the streets, push carts, heavy commercial vehicles into the Central Business District, illegal throwing and dumping of garbage or litter… are given up to Tuesday, 10 January 2023 to cease their illegal activities.
With effect from Wednesday, 11. January 2023, the City of Bulawayo will be conducting an exercise to eliminate ALL illegal activities so as to restore order and cleanliness.
</blockquote>
Dube said informal traders should register with the city council for them to get licences to operate from designated sites. He said:
<blockquote>
All those who are interested in trading in the authorised sites are advised to visit the City of Bulawayo Vending Offices at the former Dugmore Clinic Offices along Basch Street for registration and licensing.
The City encourages trading at designated sites in terms of Municipal by-laws.
This fosters peace, cleanliness and control of all informal trading activities through the associations which have Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the City.
</blockquote>

Bulawayo City Council Vows To Eliminate Illegal Vending Next Week

The City of Bulawayo is proposing to ban burials of children between the ages of zero to twelve years and make cremation mandatory.
Cremation is the disposal of a dead person’s body by burning it to ashes, typically after a funeral ceremony.
The mandatory cremation of children will save burial space which is increasingly becoming scarce in the country’s second-largest city, according to councillors.
During a council meeting, the Director of the Health Services Department, Dr Edwin Sibanda, said that the Bulawayo City Council had leased a plot of land at Luveve Cemetery to a private contractor who had built a crematorium.
The local authority and the contractor plan to cut cremation fees for children aged zero to twelve years to $30.
Councillor Felix Mhaka supported the cremation of zero to 12-year-old children and proposed that funerals of children between the ages of zero and 12 years should be prohibited with effect from 1 February 2023.
The councillors concurred residents should be encouraged to embrace cremation to save burial space. | <a href="https://cite.org.zw/bcc-moots-ban-on-child-burials/">CITE</a>

Bulawayo City Council Considers Banning Child Burials

The City of Bulawayo has unveiled plans to establish a new medium-density residential suburb on 156 445 hectares near Bellevue.
The proposed site has a provision of 509 stands and is located about six kilometres South-West of the Central Business District, off Plumtree Road, and is bounded by Plumtree Road, Derby Road, and Newton West suburb.
The proposed residential area has a 40 per cent reservation for flats and cluster housing stands.
This is in line with the government policy that demands that at least 40 per cent of new housing projects should be reserved for the construction of high-rise buildings to prevent urban sprawl and promote modern housing infrastructure.
According to the latest council monthly report tabled before a full council on Wednesday, the Town Planning Director, Wisdom Siziba, said the proposed 509 residential stands measure 25 metres by 40 metres, covering an average area of 1000m2 in extent. Said Siziba:
<blockquote>
The proposed residential development plan will go a long way in eradicating the housing shortages in the city. Cities must create human settlements where people will live, work and play and all these were incorporated in the layout.
The major goal when coming up with this layout was to fulfill the sustainability mandate of creating human settlements that are safe, inclusive, and livable.
</blockquote>
Bulawayo currently has a housing waiting list of close to 200 000. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/509-stands-for-new-bulawayo-medium-density-suburb/">Chronicle</a>

Bulawayo Plans To Establish New Medium-Density Suburb Near Bellevue

The Bulawayo City Council planning a clampdown on open-air churches across the city in response to complaints by residents of noise pollution.
Speaking at a full council meeting last week, Bulawayo deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube said:
<blockquote>
The city is now dominated by flags of different churches. They are spreading cholera because they are using the bush as ablution facilities. I am saying let’s remove these churches from the city.
</blockquote>
Ward 4 Councillor Silas Chigora said the problem should be dealt with once and for all. Chigora said:
<blockquote>
We are shocked whether it’s worshipping or money-spinning activities, let’s write to these churches to say they should vacate those sites.
Let us (also) engage someone like a debt collector who will go around removing these people because I am tired of the complaints of these churches.
My community respects the environment, they respect trees, they respect rocks, they respect hills and mountains.
Let’s engage someone to round up these churches just like we did in George Silundika, let’s do that and deal with this problem once and for all.
</blockquote>
Ward 27 councillor Alderman Siboniso Khumalo said the churches should apply for stands to construct places of worship.
Recently, Churches Council of Africa (CCA) founder and president Rocky Moyo said local authorities were demanding large amounts of money. | <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/council-plots-crackdown-on-open-air-churches/">Business Times</a>

Bulawayo Council Plans Crackdown On Open Air Churches

Bulawayo City Council council have blocked a move to reverse a council resolution barring informal traders from operating along Fifth Avenue.
The councillors say the road should be opened for human and vehicular traffic.
The local authority closed the road to vendors at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
However, two years later, the council has failed to remove the informal traders operating along Fifth Avenue.
The local authority identified sites for vendors to operate from. The spots are near the Highlanders Football Club clubhouse and another at the corner of Lobengula Street and First Avenue. But the vendors say the sites are far away from their targeted clients.
According to the latest council report that was tabled before a full council meeting last Wednesday, council management had proposed the official reopening of the street to accommodate informal traders. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
With the coming of COVID-19, council on 3 June 2020 resolved that 5th Avenue (stretching from Robert Mugabe to Lobengula Street) be closed off permanently to any form of trading and henceforth the closed street be re-opened as a public road that accommodates two-way traffic as per the Roads Act provisions.
Despite the fact that this whole process was consultative, disgruntled informal traders took the matter to court.
The court dismissed their application and upheld the Council’s resolution of opening the road for vehicular traffic.
There had been an application from informal traders to close off 5th Avenue for informal trading activities, in light of the discussions around 5th Avenue, four options exist.
The options are informed by the need to strike a balance amongst a multifarious use, that is parking, informal trading and vehicular traffic and the property owners.
</blockquote>
The first option tabled would be to maintain the existing bays prior to COVID-19 and leave the planning area with 880 informal trading bays.
The second is to have the planning area with 952 informal trading bays occupying parking bays on both ends of the planning area.
The third option suggested is that the area will have two riding lanes and parking bays to the north but with 557 informal trading bays.
The fourth and final option is to maintain the status quo of opening up 5th Avenue to vehicular traffic without any consideration of informal trading activities.
Management was reportedly pushing for the adoption of option three, saying it leaves the area with fewer vending bays and would accommodate all the users including property owners.
However, councillors dismissed the move by management. Acting Mayor, Councillor Mlandu Ncube said what was dangerous with the move was that it would appear as if the local authority was regularising illegality. He said:
<blockquote>
We cannot create a problem by trying to solve another problem, in this city we are clear that 5th Avenue is a road, people must drive along that street.
When that street was closed there were people operating there, whom we consulted properly and gave them bays somewhere else, some, unfortunately, did not get them because of the limited space and went home.
Suddenly, despite this resolution, we woke up to people now operating there and two years after we are failing to remove these illegal elements, now we want to regularise those illegal elements, which is dangerous.
We will create a problem, with our people who were originally trading there, we can only start talking about that area when all offenders have left.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/councillors-block-reopening-of-fifth-avenue-market/">The Sunday News</a>

Councillors Block Reopening Of Fifth Avenue Market In Bulawayo

The City of Bulawayo has resolved to abandon its cremator which has been stuck in Durban, South Africa for many years, and buy another one.
The cremator was bought by Masen Engineering (PVT LTD) on behalf of the local authority after the company won a contract to supply, install and commission a cremator for the West Park Crematorium.
The total tender price then was US$121 400 with the local authority paying Masen US$97 120 which was 80 percent of the tendered price as advance payment.
The company later reportedly imported the cremator from Japan but failed to pay duty during the duration of the contract, which was four months.
In 2016, the South Africa Revenue Services (SARS) impounded the cremator while in transit to Zimbabwe, and efforts to get it released have failed.
According to the latest City of Bulawayo confidential report, SARS lawyers recently wrote to the local authority demanding that it pays up before October 6, 2022, or get the cremator deposited.
The report further says the cremator in question had accrued storage costs of up to R1 190 763. Part of the report reads:
<blockquote>
Management was approached by the contractor (Masen Engineering) and he advised that it was not such a wise decision to pay that amount to SARS in order to facilitate the release of the cremator which was now obsolete.
His advice was that a new cremator could cost council close to a million Rand and the storage money could be used to buy a new cremator.
He further advised that in his opinion council should just abandon that cremator because of the costs and the fact that some of the components of the cremator which were in the container were no longer usable.
</blockquote>
After the meeting, the local authority resolved “That council abandon the cremator to avoid paying further charges but instead a court application for the recovery of the US$97 120 deposit which was paid to Masen Engineering Pvt Ltd.”
Bulawayo City Council is encouraging its residents to consider cremation as a substitute for conventional burial in a bid to limit the fast reduction of burial space in the city.
Currently, the local authority has only one cremator situated at West Park cemetery. | <a href="https://cite.org.zw/bcc-abandons-cremator-stuck-in-sa/">CITE</a>

Bulawayo City Council Abandons Cremator Stuck In South Africa

The City of Bulawayo says it will channel US$5 523 920 towards upgrading its three stadiums so that they meet international standards.
This was revealed by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) chairperson of the finance committee Tawanda Ruzive while presenting the US$157 99 million 2023 proposed revenue budget. He said:
<blockquote>
A total of US$5 523 920 has been set aside to spruce up the three stadia. This is a work in progress towards meeting the international standards that will enable the city to enjoy international games.
These facilities benefit the communities and offer places of association, entertainment, and relaxation after hours and on weekends.
</blockquote>
BCC owns three major stadiums namely Barbourfields, White City and Luveve.
It also runs numerous football pitches, tennis courts and basketball grounds located in the wards.
The local authority also proposed to set aside US$106 million to fund key infrastructure projects that include the construction of classroom blocks, clinics, servicing of residential stands and construction of roads.
US$903 300 will be availed for the youths, for the provision of vocational training in farming, metal work, bricklaying, cookery, catering, motor mechanics, metalwork, dressmaking and fine arts.
The budget is, however, subject to approval by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. | <a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2022/11/02/bulawayo-to-spend-over-us5-million-to-spruce-up-stadiums/">New Ziana</a>

Bulawayo Council To Spend Over US$5 Million To Upgrade Stadiums

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has temporarily suspended the current 72-hour water-shedding programme in the Tuli Reservoir zone following a major pipeline burst.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, 26 October 2022, the City of Bulawayo’s acting Town Clerk Sikhangele Zhou said several suburbs will be affected. She said:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public of water supply interruptions to all areas fed by the Tuli Reservoir.
This is due to a burst that occurred on the clear water line supplying the Tuli reservoir between Ncema and Fernhill Pump Stations.
The following areas are likely to be affected: Lochview, Sunninghill, Marlands, Glencoe, Riverside, Waterford, Manningdale, Willsgrove, Buenavista, Douglasdale, Fortunes gate, Selborne Park, Matsheumhlope Esigodini, Imbizo Barracks, Parklands, Khumalo, Queens Park, Suburbs, Mahatshula, Woodville, Kingsdale, Killarney.
The City of Bulawayo will temporarily suspend the current 72-hour water-shedding programme in the Tuli Reservoir zone until the burst pipe is repaired.
Residents are advised that supplies will be restored once the repair works have been completed and pumping has resumed and the Tuli reservoir has been raised to acceptable levels.
Residents are requested to conserve water and keep taps turned off in the event that the work is completed sooner.
</blockquote>

Bulawayo Council Suspends Water Rationing For Several Suburbs

Residents of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, face a water crisis after the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) cut off electricity at the city’s water pumps for emergency maintenance of electricity infrastructure.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 19 October 2022, the City of Bulawayo’s acting Town Clerk Sikhangele Zhou advised residents that the current 72-hour shedding programme will be suspended as water supplies will be cut off to all areas until the power utility restores electricity. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>NOTICE OF POSSIBLE WATER SUPPLIES INTERRUPTION AND TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF 72-HOUR SHEDDING DUE TO THE ZETDC SHUTDOWN AT ESIGODINI.</h2>
The public is hereby informed of water supply interruptions to all suburbs as a result of an emergency maintenance shutdown by Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) at Inyankuni in Esigodini on Wednesday, 19 October 2022 from 07:00hrs to 18:00hrs.
This will have an impact on raw water pumping volumes at both Ncema Treatment Works and Fernhill Booster Station, and consequently, affect production at Criterion Water Works. 
The shutdown will result in minimal pumping or treatment at all three of the above-mentioned stations, depleting the City’s Supply and Distribution reservoirs.
To prevent the water system from collapsing, the City of Bulawayo will temporarily suspend the current 72-hour shedding programme and cut off supply to all areas until the ZETDC shutdown is completed and power is restored at all three plants, allowing water treatment and pumping to resume.
Residents are advised that supplies will be restored once treatment and pumping have resumed and the city reservoirs have been raised to acceptable levels. 
Meanwhile, residents are advised to conserve water and keep taps turned off in the event that the work is completed sooner.
The City of Bulawayo wishes to apologise to its valued consumers for the inconvenience likely to be caused.
</blockquote>

ZESA Shutdown Triggers Water Cuts In Bulawayo

The City of Bulawayo has approached the Joint Operation Command (JOC) for assistance to remove ZANU PF activists who have illegally converted one of the city’s streets into a vegetable market.
JOC is a security arm comprising officers drawn from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS).
The City of Bulawayo has accused ZANU PF youths and their leaders of taking over 5th Street in the central business district and parcelling it into vending bays for vendors.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the city’s “Big Spring Cleaning Week” launch Monday, Bulawayo Mayor, Solomon Mguni, said:
<blockquote>
They (vendors) were settled here by politicians from the ruling party (ZANU PF) and we have tried to engage both the party and state security apparatus to try and remove them from this road.
… We have held various meetings with JOC and the vendors’ leaders so as to find an amicable solution.
The engagements are continuing and ultimately it is the JOC which should ensure that these people are removed.
</blockquote>
The ZANU PF-linked “vending space barons” are prejudicing the local authority of millions of potential revenue by taking bribes from the displaced informal traders. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/council-ropes-in-army-to-swoop-on-defiant-zanu-pf-aligned-street-vendors/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

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