Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has commissioned infrastructure and equipment worth US$212,140 for Bulilima Rural District Council in Matabeleland South Province, while warning traditional leaders against the illegal allocation and sale of communal land.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Garwe unveiled 28 motorbikes for councillors, a grader, a six-tonne tipping dumper trailer and an extension to the council offices.
The projects were funded through council revenue, devolution funds and ZINARA, with additional support from Mvimi Safaris, which donated building materials worth US$20,000.
“Today’s event demonstrates the Second Republic’s firm commitment to ensuring that no community, ward or citizen is left behind in our march towards an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society,” said Minister Garwe.
However, he used the occasion to strongly condemn the illegal allocation and sale of communal land, commonly referred to as “sabhuku deals”.
“The Government condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the continued unlawful allocation and sale of land, which has increasingly become known as ‘sabhuku deals’,” he said.
Minister Garwe stressed that communal land is a national resource and warned that traditional leaders and other individuals involved in illegal land transactions would face the law.
“Land is a national resource. No individual, whether a traditional leader or otherwise, has the authority to unlawfully sell communal land for personal gain. Any land baron, headman, village head or other individual found to have participated in, facilitated or benefited from unlawful land allocations and sales will face the full force of the law,” he said.
He said the newly commissioned motorbikes would be particularly important in Bulilima, given the district’s vast and challenging terrain. The motorcycles will enable councillors to reach remote communities, monitor development projects and engage residents more effectively.
Minister Garwe challenged the council to translate its new resources into tangible results. He noted that although Bulilima currently ranks 29th among Rural District Councils, it has the potential to become one of the best-performing councils in the country.
“The 2025 Local Authorities Performance Assessment Feedback has provided us with important lessons. The assessment identified lack of equipment among the nine interlocking constraints affecting local authorities across fiscal, infrastructure and governance dimensions,” he said.
“It is therefore pleasing that Bulilima RDC is beginning to address this particular constraint through investment in its own plant and equipment.”
The minister also reiterated the Government’s decision to move towards a per-capita rating system, replacing the previous per-household model in a bid to promote greater fairness.
He urged local leadership to maintain harmonious relations and work together to accelerate development in the district.
Minister Garwe also challenged the council to begin preparations for the eventual relocation of its headquarters to the designated district centre.
“We are now firmly in the implementation of the second phase of our national development journey. National Development Strategy 2 has given us the next stage of the roadmap towards Vision 2030. This is therefore a period for action, delivery and measurable results,” he said.
Minister Garwe officially commissioned the assets in the presence of community members, councillors and traditional leaders.