The Sunday Mail
Harare City Council has taken delivery of two road sweeper machines at US$600 000, drawing the ire of residents who accuse the financially-crippled authority of misplacing its priorities.
There are reports that the equipment was purchased at double the market price.
The Duvelo 5000 Evolution EU4-EU5 mobile mechanical sweepers procured from South Africa will be deployed on the roads this week.
Cleaners who traditionally swept roads and pavements have been posted to other departments to accommodate the machines which will be operated at night.
The mechanical sweepers can collect bottles, small wood cases and stones by means of side brushes that convey the waste to the centre (of the vehicles) where they are sucked into a waste tank.
“The sweepers will be deployed onto the streets in the next two weeks. They will work between 2200hrs and 0400hrs on a daily basis,” said Town House.
“This means that the city employees who have been attending to the CBD will be deployed to other areas. Hand cleaners will still be used in the CBD, especially on rugged terrain where the mechanical sweepers cannot operate.”
Combined Harare Residents’ Association chief executive Mr Mfundo Mlilo told The Sunday Mail that the decision to purchase the expensive equipment was puzzling.
“The equipment is inappropriate for the city and is certainly not a priority at the moment given that we have burst water and sewer pipes everywhere.
“In any case, the price of the equipment remains questionable in light of the issue of the US$144 million water system rehabilitation loan.”
In March 2015, the then Town Clerk, Dr Tendai Mahachi, revealed council’s plans to buy the sweepers, stating that they were valued at US$300 000 each.
Duvelo’s website, however, showed the machines cost between US$63 000 and US$100 000 each.
