ZINARA Lifts Lid On Fuel Allocation To Manicalnd Councils

By Shingirai Vambe

The Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (ZINARA) has published its comprehensive fuel disbursement report as of September 30, 2025, revealing important insights into how fuel allocations for road maintenance have been utilised across the country. Of particular interest is Manicaland Province, which has recorded a 66% utilisation rate of its allocated fuel budget, a figure that sheds light on both progress and persistent challenges faced by local authorities in maintaining vital road infrastructure.

According to the report, the total fuel allocated for Manicaland stood at 85,630.81 litres for the period under review, with 67,060 litres actually disbursed. This amounts to just two-thirds of the budget being utilised, a statistic that raises questions about efficiency and capacity within the province’s rural and urban councils.

Breaking down the fuel allocation further, the Rural District Councils (RDCs) in Manicaland show a mixed picture. Buhera, Chimanimani, and Mutare rural councils stand out as the only RDCs to have utilised their full 100% fuel allocations, demonstrating relative efficiency and possibly better operational capacity in handling their road maintenance mandates. In contrast, other RDCs such as Chipinge, Makoni, Mutasa, and Nyanga lag behind, with utilisation rates ranging between 43% and 79%.

Urban councils in the province, including Mutare City, Rusape Town Council, and Chipinge Town, fare worse, with utilisation rates falling below 67%. Mutare City, the provincial capital and economic hub, utilised just 45% of its fuel allocation, while Rusape and Chipinge recorded utilisation rates of 59% and 51% respectively.

These figures are significant given the increasing concerns about the deteriorating state of roads in Manicaland. The onset of the rainy season has exacerbated the situation, with many rural and urban roads becoming virtually impassable. This not only hinders the movement of people and goods but also impacts the overall economic development of the province. The underutilisation of allocated fuel resources, essential for road repairs and maintenance, raises pressing questions about the capacity of local authorities to address these challenges effectively.

Zinara’s release of the fuel disbursement data is part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability. Local authorities have in the past cited a lack of resources as a primary reason for the poor state of roads under their jurisdiction. By providing detailed fuel usage reports, Zinara aims to hold these councils accountable, ensuring that the resources allocated for road maintenance are used efficiently and effectively.

The report also includes data from the Department of Roads and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, showing their own fuel utilisation rates and allocations, which feed into the broader national picture of road maintenance efforts.

Despite the allocation of substantial fuel volumes, the persistent state of disrepair in many roads suggests that fuel utilisation is just one part of the problem. Issues such as limited technical capacity, poor planning, and inadequate funding continue to hamper efforts to rehabilitate and maintain Zimbabwe’s road network.

As Manicaland, and Zimbabwe as a whole, grapples with these infrastructure challenges, stakeholders are calling for enhanced oversight, better resource management, and increased support to local authorities. Without such interventions, the dream of a reliable and safe road network remains distant, with the continued deterioration posing risks to economic activities and the wellbeing of communities.

Zinara’s fuel disbursement report is a timely reminder that transparency is critical in addressing these systemic issues.

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