News / National
US$8m Belarus proposal divides Bulawayo councillors
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A proposal by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to procure vehicles and equipment from Belarus for US$7.5 million has ignited divisions within Zimbabwe's second-largest city. Official documents released this week reveal debates over the expenditure, as some councillors push for alternative options to source the equipment locally or from regional suppliers.
The BCC has sought government approval to use its 2025 devolution funds, amounting to ZiG176.4 million (approximately US$6.7 million), to cover the majority of the capital outlay. The council argues that leveraging the existing Zimbabwe-Belarus government-to-government memorandum of understanding for trade and economic cooperation would streamline the process and benefit the city's wards.
"The department of works formally requested authority for the procurement of critical plant and equipment from Belarus using the city's allocation of the 2025 devolution funds," council minutes read. "Utilising the devolution funds for the procurement would not only ensure adherence to budgetary allocations but also facilitate a more efficient process leveraging the existing agreement with the Belarusian government."
Despite this, opposition within the council has surfaced. Some councillors argue that similar vehicles and equipment could be sourced locally or from neighboring countries, such as South Africa, at competitive prices.
Councillor Ntando Ndlovu raised concerns about the suitability of the Belarusian equipment for Bulawayo's terrain. He also questioned why the deal involved AFTRADE DMCC, a Belarusian agency domiciled in Dubai, and sought clarification on the training of council employees to operate the machinery effectively.
Councillor Melisa Mabeza echoed these concerns, particularly regarding costs. She called for a comparative analysis, including at least three alternative quotations from Belarusian suppliers, to ensure transparency and affordability.
"The committee would aggregate the prices and select the most affordable supplier," the council report noted.
The invoice from AFTRADE DMCC, dated December 23, 2024, estimates the procurement cost at US$7.5 million. However, questions about pricing, suitability, and the involvement of a third-party intermediary continue to cast doubt on the proposed deal.
This development comes as Zimbabwe and Belarus deepen bilateral relations. In 2024, the two countries held a Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation meeting to strengthen their diplomatic and economic ties. While BCC officials argue that the equipment procurement aligns with this broader partnership, some councillors remain unconvinced, advocating for a more localized approach to ensure cost efficiency and suitability for the city's needs.
The proposal will likely undergo further scrutiny before a final decision is made, with councillors calling for additional information and alternatives to be considered.
The BCC has sought government approval to use its 2025 devolution funds, amounting to ZiG176.4 million (approximately US$6.7 million), to cover the majority of the capital outlay. The council argues that leveraging the existing Zimbabwe-Belarus government-to-government memorandum of understanding for trade and economic cooperation would streamline the process and benefit the city's wards.
"The department of works formally requested authority for the procurement of critical plant and equipment from Belarus using the city's allocation of the 2025 devolution funds," council minutes read. "Utilising the devolution funds for the procurement would not only ensure adherence to budgetary allocations but also facilitate a more efficient process leveraging the existing agreement with the Belarusian government."
Despite this, opposition within the council has surfaced. Some councillors argue that similar vehicles and equipment could be sourced locally or from neighboring countries, such as South Africa, at competitive prices.
Councillor Ntando Ndlovu raised concerns about the suitability of the Belarusian equipment for Bulawayo's terrain. He also questioned why the deal involved AFTRADE DMCC, a Belarusian agency domiciled in Dubai, and sought clarification on the training of council employees to operate the machinery effectively.
Councillor Melisa Mabeza echoed these concerns, particularly regarding costs. She called for a comparative analysis, including at least three alternative quotations from Belarusian suppliers, to ensure transparency and affordability.
"The committee would aggregate the prices and select the most affordable supplier," the council report noted.
The invoice from AFTRADE DMCC, dated December 23, 2024, estimates the procurement cost at US$7.5 million. However, questions about pricing, suitability, and the involvement of a third-party intermediary continue to cast doubt on the proposed deal.
This development comes as Zimbabwe and Belarus deepen bilateral relations. In 2024, the two countries held a Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation meeting to strengthen their diplomatic and economic ties. While BCC officials argue that the equipment procurement aligns with this broader partnership, some councillors remain unconvinced, advocating for a more localized approach to ensure cost efficiency and suitability for the city's needs.
The proposal will likely undergo further scrutiny before a final decision is made, with councillors calling for additional information and alternatives to be considered.
Source - the standard
