More than a decade after two private contractors completed civil servants’ houses in Lupane, the government has finally moved to settle their outstanding dues.
The late payment lays bare the country’s chronic struggles with public procurement delays and the bureaucratic inertia that has left small firms financially crippled.
The contractors, Kellwood Private Limited and Jonaldo Private Limited, had been locked in a bitter battle with the government over non-payment for works carried out in 2012.
The project, aimed at easing the chronic accommodation crisis for civil servants deployed to Lupane—the capital of Matabeleland North—has since become a symbol of the region’s long-standing infrastructure neglect, despite its political status as a provincial headquarters.
According to papers shown to this publication and signed by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, Theodious Chinyanga, on February 10, 2026, the government now acknowledges the debt.
The documents confirmdd that in 2012, the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities engaged the two firms to complete outstanding works on 19 housing units in Lupane.
Keep Reading
- Letters to the editor: PVOs Bill must be shot down
- Why giving monkeypox a new name is a good idea
- Why giving monkeypox a new name is a good idea
- LSU defends hefty fee hike
The scope included electrical work, painting, plumbing, fencing, builders' work, and carpentry.
Jonaldo Private Limited was assigned electrical, painting, and plumbing works for US$47 968, plus the supply and installation of a perimeter diamond fence for US$8 800.
Kellwood Private Limited was contracted to carry out builders' and carpentry works for US$47,930.
Based on records provided by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and the Infrastructure Development Bank, both contractors satisfactorily completed the works with certified values of US$34 813.50 for Jonaldo and US$33,188.85 for Kellwood.
However, only one payment certificate was issued to each contractor, back in October 2013, meaning payments have been outstanding for nearly 13 years.
Following a recent verification exercise, the government’s records show net outstanding balances of US$27 437.85 for Kellwood and US$13 419.03 for Jonaldo.
Jonaldo representative Elliot Ncube disputed the figures, questioning the verification process that slashed his firm's claim.
“We do not understand the government’s verification process which led to us being awarded only US$13,419.03,” Ncube said.
“The government has been unwilling to pay for over 10 years now. We have approached the ministry but to no avail.
“We are planning to approach the President’s office because all along they have been making empty promises.”
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister, Richard Moyo, said he was unaware of the matter until the contractors approached him this week.
“They showed me the papers which were signed by government officials. It shows that the government is aware of it. They will be paid,” Moyo said.
“I have assigned my secretary to make a follow-up. What is needed is a push for them to get paid. It has been long since the old dispensation of the ministry has been reconstituted.”