THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) recently approached the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) for equipment to assist with construction works in Maphisa, Matabeleland South province, in preparation for this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
This year’s celebrations are set for Maphisa, an area that bore the brunt of the Gukurahundi massacres in the 1980s.
According to council minutes, ZDF formally requested the use of a council front-end loader and compressor at Imbizo Barracks on February 24 and 25.
The equipment was needed to load quarry stones onto a 30-tonne truck for transport to Maphisa, where infrastructure is being rehabilitated ahead of the celebrations.
While council said the front-end loader was out of order due to worn-out tyres, ZDF inspected the machinery and took it to the barracks.
“The requested assistance was critical in facilitating timely ground preparation and ensuring that infrastructure requirements were adequately addressed ahead of the event,” read the minutes.
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“Council has resolved to grant authority for the deployment, subject to logistical viability.”
This follows a separate request in January by the Local Government and Public Works ministry to council to donate five beasts, three tonnes of mealie-meal and 200 litres of cooking oil towards preparatory work for uhuru celebrations.
In a letter addressed to council, Local Government permanent secretary John Basera said the donations would cater for personnel working at the site.
He said contributing to the national programme would enhance council’s relationship with central government and set an example for other local authorities in Matabeleland.
Despite concerns from some councillors about the burden on ratepayers, council resolved to accede to the request.
Mayor David Coltart raised questions about the state of the Maphisa Road, but the town clerk expressed confidence that it will be completed on time, citing the rapid transformation of the Gokwe-Nembudziya Road for last year’s celebrations.