Bulawayo City Council says it is being overwhelmed by central government demands to provide resources for upcoming national independence celebrations in Maphisa, despite the city’s own crippling service delivery crisis.
The cash-strapped local authority has been asked to provide construction machinery, bricks, and food—including five cattle, six tonnes of mealie meal, and 200 litres of cooking oil—for the 46th Independence Day event scheduled for April 18.
Council minutes tabled at the monthly meeting on April 1 revealed deep frustration, noting that local authorities are struggling to fund basic needs, including roads, water, and sewer systems.
Councillors argued that the central government, which allocated ZiG 14 million for the festivities, should have sufficient funds without taxing local budgets.
They suggested that the resources requested for donations would be better utilised for the “rehabilitation and repairs” of the road exiting the city toward Maphisa.
Councillor Donaldson Mabuto urged the government to instead approach wealthy businessmen known for lavish public donations. Mabuto said certain individuals have recently “gifted individuals with top-of-the-range vehicles,” a clear reference to controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s high-profile car-gifting spree.
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The logistical strain on the council was further highlighted by a request from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) for a front-end loader and a compressor to load quarry.
Council officials noted their own loader was currently non-operational due to worn-out tyres.
In a move underscoring the council’s decay, the ZDF proposed providing a truck to transport the machine and a compressor specifically “to continuously inflate the tyres during operation.”
Despite these concerns, the council resolved to grant the requests after the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works emphasised that council’s support would “serve as a positive example for other local authorities.”
Town clerk Christopher Dube added that contributing would “enhance council’s relationship with the central government.”
The choice of venue has added a layer of historical tension to the logistical disputes.
Maphisa, located in Matobo district, is the site of the notorious Bhalagwe camp.
During the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres, the government’s Fifth Brigade reportedly killed thousands of civilians at the site, which is believed to contain mass graves of those shot or slaughtered.
The decision to host the 46th anniversary in Matabeleland South followed a government initiative to decentralise national celebrations. Bulawayo mayor David Coltart has raised concerns regarding the slow progress of road rehabilitation leading to the site.
However, Dube reassured the council that the government previously transformed the road infrastructure in Gokwe North for the 45th celebrations in a very short period and is expected to meet the April deadline for Maphisa.
The pressure on Bulawayo underscores a growing trend where local authorities, already struggling with limited resources and failing infrastructure, are expected to play a vital role in funding large-scale national events.