Delays and stalled road rehabilitation projects in Bulawayo have come under scrutiny from councillors, who say incomplete works are disrupting traffic and damaging surrounding roads.
The concerns were raised during discussions captured in the Road Rehabilitation 2026 report under the Environmental Management and Engineering Services Committee report dated 20 April 2026, which was presented at a recent full council meeting.
Ward 5 councillor Dumisani Octavius Nkomo questioned the status of rehabilitation works along Matopos Road, saying contractors had abandoned the site before completing the project.
“There is the damage caused by the detours which has put pressure on smaller roads thereby damaging them,” said Cllr Nkomo.
Responding to the concerns, Acting Director of Works Methuseli Dibidi said the city had engaged the Ministry over repairs to the diversion route used during the rehabilitation works.
“A meeting would be held with the Ministry to determine how best to utilise the funds for the repair of the diversion route. Matopos Road has been left unfinished to avoid disrupting traffic flow on Hillside/Burnside Road and the works would resume after the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair,” said Dibidi.
Ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu also raised concern over delays in the rehabilitation of 3rd Avenue, saying the prolonged construction works were inconveniencing motorists.
“Measures should be taken to speed up the rehabilitation process,” said Ndlovu, who also requested a timeline for completion of the project.
Eng Dibidi said the first phase of surfacing works on 3rd Avenue had been completed, but progress had stalled because suppliers had failed to deliver tar.
Ward 26 councillor Mpumelelo Moyo criticised the department’s report for failing to address challenges affecting ward retention projects, particularly a stone pitching initiative in Ward 22.
“The Ward Retention stone pitching project in Ward 22 that had commenced in February has stalled due to the department’s failure to provide materials, particularly cement. Three months have passed since the project began,” said Moyo.
Eng Dibidi attributed the delays to shortages of cement, saying local suppliers had failed to meet demand.
“Stone pitching projects have been affected by the shortage of cement. The local supplier has not been able to supply. Only 600 bags of cement were obtained from Kwekwe and have all been used for road works,” he said.
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