Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Midlands Bureau
GOVERNMENT has commissioned a fire tender for Redcliff Municipality, marking another milestone in the transformative impact of devolution funds introduced by the Second Republic in 2019.
The funds have bolstered local authorities across the country, enabling them to improve service delivery and enhance public safety.
The fire tender, part of the 133 firefighting trucks procured from Belarus through devolution funds, was officially handed over during a ceremony at the Redcliff Municipality townhouse on Tuesday.
Speaking during the commissioning of the fire tender, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo, who is also the legislator for Redcliff Constituency, praised President Mnangagwa for his visionary leadership.
“I want to thank our visionary leader for the acquisition of such utility vehicles. As a constituency, we are blessed to have such vehicles which will come in handy in fighting the outbreak of fires. We are indeed witnessing Vision 2030 in motion,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the addition of fire tenders would safeguard lives and properties, reflecting the President’s commitment to inclusive development.
“This is a great development in our area. We are very grateful to our President for always remembering us. His vision is very clear. He means development and we are well off with his direction,” he said.
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube, highlighted the strategic importance of the fire tender in advancing the Government’s devolution and decentralisation agenda, as enshrined in the Constitution.
“The fire tender I am commissioning today is part of the 133 acquired from Belarus by the Central Government for both Urban and Rural local authorities to bolster public safety and security of properties through mitigating potential loss of life and property from fire-related disasters,” he said.
“This perfectly aligns with objectives of civil protection and attainment of an upper middle-income society earlier than 2030 as envisioned by President Mnangagwa.”
Minister Ncube noted that fire tenders had already been commissioned for Gweru City Council, Shurugwi Town Council, Kwekwe City Council, and Zvishavane Town Council. He further commended the President for extending this critical support to rural local authorities, such as Vungu and Zibagwe.
“As you may now be aware, it is only under the New Dispensation since 1890, that Zimbabwe witnesses provision of fire tenders to rural local authorities like Vungu and Zibagwe which I again recently commissioned further confirming the commitment by President Mnangagwa to pursue inclusive national development that leaves no one and no place behind,” he said.
Minister Ncube lauded the Second Republic for its remarkable economic transformation and community development achievements, despite facing numerous challenges.
As the country transitions from the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to NDS2 in 2026, he outlined the Government’s focus on innovation, modernisation, and industrialisation. Key initiatives include the heritage-based thrust, engagement and re-engagement, Education 5.0, and Rural Industrialisation, which have collectively reshaped the country’s socio-economic landscape.
Minister Ncube also applauded Redcliff Municipality for its efforts in improving service delivery and infrastructure development in line with the President’s Call to Action, No Compromise to Service Delivery Blueprint.
“The municipality’s rehabilitation of Bell Medical Facility and Torwood Hospital, procurement of road equipment and service vehicles, restoration of water supplies, and attraction of investments in housing, local businesses, and tourism are commendable,” he said
Minister Ncube praised the partnership between the municipality and Steel Makers for the supply of five skip bins per month, which will enhance waste management in the area.
