Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu has revealed that the contractor responsible for the long-delayed Egodini Mall project has secured a new partner to assist with completing the development.
Ndlovu made the remarks during the CITE View programme, where he acknowledged that both the City of Bulawayo and the developer share responsibility for the prolonged delays at the transport hub.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) on October 11, 2012 contracted Terracota to redesign Basch Street terminus, known as Egodini, and turn it into a multi-purpose mall under a build, operate and transfer arrangements.
The company projected a total investment of US$60 million for the project.
However, the project has taken over 10 years to complete since the tender was awarded to the firm.
In 2024, the Contractor opened phase 1A of Egodini Mall taxi rank and informal trading stalls after missing several deadlines.
“Our position as the city is that the Egodini issue should be resolved amicably so that it becomes a win-win situation,” said Ndlovu.
“The contractor has his own grievances, and we also did not play our part fully as the City of Bulawayo. At the same time, we think the developer has also let us down.”
He said the latest development, in which the contractor has brought in a new partner, is being closely monitored by council, with a review expected early next year
“That is where we are, we shall review that position in January and see how far they have gone in that regard.”
Ndlovu further admitted that the city’s failure to fully implement its transport policy has contributed to the stalled functionality of the Egodini terminus.
“We are to blame as well, our transport policy was supposed to be functional, so that transporters would go to Egodini, we have four registered transport operators. Their going to Egodini means we have to enforce 6th Avenue, 4th Avenue, Edgar’s close to Tredgold, Pic N Pay, we are failing in that regard, so both of us are to blame for the delay,” he said.
“But nevertheless, we have to move forward and the developer should develop Egodini and when he fails, he should say so but for now he said he has found a partner to assist him , so we are looking forward to that and Egodini should work and Kombis go there,” he said.
He said council is seeking a balanced solution that considers all stakeholders
“In our last meeting, we asked the management to make sure they close 6th Avenue and put drums and Kombis go to 6th Avenue but obviously these things are not easy,” said Ndlovu.
“We have business people and a filling station who also complain that if we close, they won’t have customers, so at the end of the day, whatever decision we make should be a win-win for everyone but definitely 6th avenue should be closed.”
The deputy mayor said there is a mechanism that the Department of Works needs to do in conjunction with the Traffic Department to fix these challenges.