Staff Reporter
The City of Kwekwe has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Global Union for the establishment of an asphalt plant expected to significantly improve the city’s road network, Mayor Cllr Albert Zinhanga has confirmed.
Speaking to journalists shortly after a full council meeting on Tuesday, Zinhanga said the agreement now awaits approval from the relevant ministry before implementation can begin.
He said the plant will come with road maintenance equipment, including a grader, which has been one of the city’s major operational challenges.
“We have signed an MOU with Global Union. It is now upon the minister to sign for the asphalt plant. Once the ministry has signed, we will be having the plant,” Zinhanga said.
The mayor noted that the plant is expected to provide a long-term solution to deteriorating roads across Kwekwe, which he described as a city-wide concern rather than an isolated issue.
“The issue of roads is not a Ward 14 problem only but an issue affecting the entire city,” he said. “Our roads are in a bad state, and it has become frustrating to repeatedly raise the same concerns over several months without progress.”
Zinhanga expressed dissatisfaction with delays in road maintenance, citing ongoing challenges with the city’s grader, which has frequently been out of service. He said council may need to consider hiring equipment to avoid further delays while waiting for long-term solutions.
“The council should come up with a mechanism. If it means hiring, then let it be. We cannot keep waiting for a grader for another month when roads are this bad,” he said.
He added that the asphalt plant—once fully approved—would allow the city to rehabilitate roads more consistently and respond faster to damage caused by rains.
“With the asphalt plant coming, along with its equipment, the road issue will be addressed. We are now only waiting for the minister’s final signature,” Zinhanga said.
Council officials are expected to provide further details once the ministry completes the approval process.
