Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
LOCAL authorities in Manicaland received an allocation of nearly ZiG1,8 billion under devolution funding in the 2025 national budget, which funds are expected to drive significant infrastructural development as well as enhance educational, healthcare and social services across the province.
The funds will primarily be used to construct clinics, schools, roads, drilling of boreholes and piped water schemes, master plan development and property valuation, sewer reticulation as well as acquisition, maintenance and repair of plant and equipment to enhance service delivery, which will have a profound impact on the lives of residents in the province.
Devolution plays a crucial role in achieving Vision 2030, aimed at transforming the country into an upper-middle-income society, leveraging on Government’s efforts to empower local authorities and promote decentralised development.
This year’s devolution allocation is expected to give a significant boost to councils in achieving their set targets and improving the lives of residents in the province.
If the amounts owed from last year are availed at once with this year’s allocation, it will undoubtedly provide a substantial injection of funds for councils to catch up on their development projects.
With these funds, councils can focus on critical areas such as infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and water supply, ultimately making life more bearable for residents in the province.
Data availed by the Acting Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Past-tense Tarondwa shows that City of Mutare was allocated ZiG81 932 100 in 2025, which is earmarked to improve Gimboki outfall sewer, rehabilitate the 0,9km NRZ outfall sewer line, upgrade the 2,2km pipeline from Murahwa Primary School to Gimboki trunk sewer, construct a foot bridge, acquire road equipment (tipper trucks), construct a primary school (four classrooms and toilets) Phase One, and clinic in Hobhouse; revamp the Old Location to Sakubva outfall 400m pipeline, refurbish the Gimboki Sewage Treatment Plant (two clarifiers, installation of three centrifugal pumps); conduct feasibility studies for a new water source and rehabilitate Sakubva Swimming Pool.
Mr Tarondwa said in 2024, the city was allocated ZWL5 737 569, out of which a 5,44 percent of ZWL312 054 was paid, leaving a balance of ZWL5 425 515.
Rusape Town Council was this year allocated ZiG$113 898 820 which is earmarked for the completion of its masterplan and valuation roll, erecting sewer reticulation system in Tsanzaguru, upgrading of water reticulation network, preliminary crafting of water masterplan, procurement of skip bins, construction of community grounds, equipping of health centres, servicing roads in Riversdale, Chiduku, Ridgemond and temporary infills.
In 2024, the local authority was allocated ZWL4 042 030, 56, out of which 10 percent of ZWL408 334, 56 was disbursed, leaving an outstanding balance of ZWL3 633 696.
“2024 was a tough year for Government in respect of fulfilling its obligation to pay out full devolution commitments, but we are looking forward to an improvement this year so that our local authorities can achieve set targets.
“We are also looking forward to completing and commissioning the Natpharm Warehouse and Mega Market plant this year. Most of the projects in the province need funding to complete, which funding Government is ready to avail,” said Mr Tarondwa.
He said Mutasa Rural District Council was allocated a total equivalent of US$4 628 490 – which is earmarked for the construction of Muparutsa and Chidazembe clinics; Marara Secondary classroom block; production of the district masterplan, replacement of Irene-Magamba water pipeline; construction of Hauna Bus Terminus toilet; property valuation roll in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works; maintenance and repairs of plant and equipment; production of Osborne Dam masterplan; repair of Chinyanjera Water Tank Floor and Hauna Small-to-Medium-Enterprises (SMEs) shelter.
In 2024, Mutasa RDC was allocated ZWL24 297 007, 20 (ZiG9 719 089,40), and only two disbursements were made in March (ZWL18 900 000) and August (ZiG481 000). The total disbursements received were ZiG528 561,40, representing 5,44 percent of the allocated funds.
Consequently, an outstanding balance of ZWG9 190 528 remains, meaning several projects that had been lined up for implementation in 2024 remain stagnant due to insufficient funding.
Mr Tarondwa said Buhera Rural District Council was this year allocated ZiG218 565 940, which is meant to procure two ambulances, motorised grader, borehole drill rig, dumper trailer and refuse compactor; install street lights, upgrade Murambinda and Birchenough Bus Termini; surface Murambinda Central Business District (CBD), construct a poly clinic, complete Murambinda Town Board community hall, construct Dzvetera classroom block, upgrade and complete Chengoma and Uhera stadiums, develop Murambinda Town Board masterplan and drilling boreholes at Murambinda and the entirety of the district as well as revamp Murambinda sewer reticulation.
In 2024, Buhera RDC was allocated ZWL11 196 166, for which only 5,43 percent of ZWL607 788, 05 was disbursed, and majority of 2024 projects were not implemented as the local authority is owed ZiG10 588 377,95.
Nyanga Rural District Council was allocated ZiG137 908 600 which earmarked for the construction of a primary school, Sanhani and Mutimutema clinics, a cloak room and waiting area at Nyamhuka Bus Terminus; purchase of a drilling rig, tipper truck, mobile clinic vehicle and motorised grader; borehole rehabilitation and drilling; electrification of Mukunza Clinic and sewer reticulation.
Last year, Nyanga RDC was allocated ZWL9 652 593, out of which ZWL524 240 was paid, leaving a balance of ZWL9 128 353.
Mr Tarondwa said Chimanimani RDC was allocated ZiG124 745 700, which is meant to construct three school science laboratories, Muusha Health Post, Ndima Satellite Clinic; purchasing of a borehole drilling rig, motorised grader, tipper, and ambulance; surfacing of Muchira RSC; Copa RSC street lighting; fence and improve the pitch at Ngangu Grounds; Ruwedza School staff house; Wengezi Vegetable Market as well as Chimanimani Hospital renovations and mortuary construction.
Makoni Rural District Council was allocated ZiG216 543 730, 01 this year which is earmarked for the upgrading of Nyazura new commercial and Rukweza roads, acquisition of a lowbed truck complete with trailer, roller and bitumen distributor, dozer, tipper truck, motorised grader, refuse compactor, drilling rig, and backhoe loader.
The council also intends to use the funds to construct eight staff houses; Mapere Clinic, low cost boarding house, safe shelter for Gender-Based Violence victims; repair damaged infrastructure, upgrade Nyazura Compton, Riverside and Headlands sewer systems, drilling a borehole at Mapere Clinic; spearhead the Zambara piped water scheme, Nyazura and Rupfunde water infrastructure and Sunset water reticulation system.
In 2024, Makoni RDC was allocated ZWL10 597 170 and ZWL602 240 was paid, leaving a balance of ZWL9 994 930.
In 2025, Chipinge RDC was allocated ZWL225 888 120 earmarked for the construction of Musese School, Maunganidze and Maronga clinics, Charurwa, Vheneka and Nyamadzi classroom blocks, masterplan development, valuation roll, computarisation of its systems and purchase of an ambulance.
In 2024, the council was allocated ZWL24 183 870, and received a 2,6 percent disbursement of ZWL628 628,90.
Allocations for Mutare Rural District Council and Chipinge Town Council were not readily available at the time of going to print.
