By Ndumiso Tshuma
Bulawayo’s already dire water situation is worsening, with the city council admitting that its Water and Sanitation Department is crippled by failing infrastructure and a vehicle fleet that is almost half grounded.
According to the latest council minutes, published on 6 August 2025, the city’s supply dams were at just 44.74 percent capacity as of June 30.
The report warned that frequent breakdowns in bulk water pumping systems and delays in repairing ageing pipelines continue to disrupt water delivery.
The crisis is compounded by a shortage of operational vehicles with about 35 percent of the department’s fleet under maintenance, severely undermining its ability to respond to breakdowns and emergencies.
In the Electro-Mechanical and Water sections, nearly half the vehicles are down.
Ward 28 Councillor, Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, said the department was “completely handicapped.”
“Half of the required fleet is down. Priority should be given to repairing broken-down vehicles that have been lying unattended for a long time due to lack of spares,” he said.
Ndlovu questioned why the Works Department still controls vehicles for Water and Sanitation, saying the arrangement created bottlenecks.
“Water and Sanitation must have its own vehicles, mechanics and workshops. That way the department can be held accountable,” he argued, urging the council to partner with private companies for quicker repairs.
Ward 1 Councillor, Josiah Mutangi, blasted the state of the vehicles as “pathetic,” questioning why even small spares like bolts had not been purchased.
“Some auctioned vehicles are back on the road within weeks after being sold. That tells you something is wrong with how we maintain ours,” Mutangi said, calling for independent mechanics to be considered.
Ward 25 Councillor, Aleck Ndlovu, urged the council to table a full list of required vehicles, noting that the city has qualified mechanics but lacks tools and equipment in its workshops.
“A list of the total number of vehicles required by both Water and Sanitation should be made available and submitted to Council with a special request for the vehicles to be purchased. Council has qualified mechanics but the challenge is lack of equipment in all four workshops. In order for the mechanics to be efficient, I recommend that the workshops should be well equipped,” said Ndlovu.
Ward 29 Councillor, Roy Sekete added that Bulawayo could learn from other municipalities that better manage their fleets.
“I seek clarity on the acquisition of spares using direct procurement. It is a challenge for the mechanics to perform their duties without the necessary tools of trade. Lack of resources is affecting their performance. I propose that the Committee should undertake visits to find out how other cities were managing their fleet and workshops,” said Sekete.
In response, Director of Works, Thulani Mkhwananzi, admitted that procurement challenges were at the heart of the crisis.
“Tenders are often re-advertised because companies fail to meet requirements. In some cases, direct procurement is used but it is limited to US$500,” Mkhwananzi explained.
On the issue of auctioned vehicles reappearing on the roads, Mkhwananzi said the council only disposes of units that have exceeded their economic life.
Buyers, he explained, often restore them using reconditioned spares and car breakers’ parts, purchases the council itself is not allowed to make.