BCC to hire refuse removal trucks at US$400 per day

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has been cleared by the Procurement Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) to hire eight refuse removal trucks at a cost of US$400 per day as the city grapples with a worsening waste collection crisis caused by frequent breakdowns in its fleet.

Bulawayo has been struggling to collect refuse efficiently, with council records showing that as of October 2025 the city had an average of only four refuse compactors operational per day, far below the estimated requirement of 35 needed to service the entire city.

In a report presented to council, Bulawayo town clerk Mr Christopher Dube said the refuse collection fleet had been severely compromised by persistent mechanical failures.

"During the month of October 2025, an average of only four refuse compactors were operational per day against an estimated requirement of 35 compactors needed to effectively service the entire city and restore the city to its status of being a clean city," said Mr Dube.

He said the hiring of additional refuse compactors would have a significant positive impact on the city's waste management operations by improving the efficiency and reliability of refuse collection across residential, industrial and commercial areas.

"It will reduce the backlog of uncollected waste and eliminate unsightly piles," he said.

The report noted that the additional trucks would also allow the council to extend refuse collection services to newly developed suburbs such as Willsgrove.

Council said the strengthened fleet would improve environmental sanitation, reduce the risk of vector-borne diseases, safeguard public health and help restore Bulawayo's image as a clean and well-managed city.

"Council, having been cleared by Praz, is in the process of hiring eight refuse removal trucks at a rate of US$400 per day from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. This rate excludes vehicle running costs and fuel," the report stated.

An analysis of the offer showed that the rate per tonne would be US$20 before running costs, which include fuel, insurance, maintenance and labour. When these additional costs are factored in, the total cost is expected to be about US$43 per tonne, significantly lower than prevailing market rates averaging US$65 per tonne.

Bulawayo continues to face serious waste collection challenges, with some suburbs at times being forced to take back refuse prepared for collection after council trucks failed to arrive.