ZWG 54 Million Deployed for Manicaland Road Works

The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) has released its disbursement report as at 31 December 2025, showing full budget utilisation by local authorities in Manicaland Province amid growing calls for accountability in the use of public funds.

According to the report, Manicaland’s rural and urban councils collectively utilised 100 percent of the funds disbursed for road maintenance and construction during the 2025 financial year.

ZINARA disbursed a total of ZWG 54,351,574 to Manicaland local authorities, with reported expenditure reaching ZWG 54,351,564, translating to a 100 percent utilisation rate.

In fuel allocations, critical for road works equipment and project implementation, the province received 85,631 litres, with 85,518 litres reportedly utilised, also reflecting full absorption.

The Department of Roads received ZWG 408,964,745, recording 100 percent budget utilisation and slightly exceeding its allocated fuel disbursement at 101 percent.

The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) was allocated ZWG 225,348,086, with full financial utilisation, though fuel uptake stood at 56 percent.

All seven Manicaland RDCs,  Buhera, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Makoni, Mutare, Mutasa and Nyanga, recorded 100 percent financial utilisation, combined, RDCs received ZWG 29,068,203, with total fuel disbursements of 46,172 litres, almost fully utilised at 100 percent.

Urban local authorities also reported full utilisation, with Mutare City, ZWG 16,194,336, Rusape Town Council, ZWG 4,213,540 and Chipinge Town Council, ZWG 4,875,484.

Total allocations to urban councils amounted to ZWG 25,283,360, with 100 percent financial absorption and near-total fuel usage.

ZINARA indicated that its engineers conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation of road projects funded through these allocations to ensure compliance and value for money.

The release of the disbursement report comes against a backdrop of longstanding public criticism directed at some local authorities over alleged mismanagement of ratepayers’ and taxpayers’ funds.

Earlier, Transparency International Zimbabwe applauded ZINARA’s efforts to publish detailed disbursement data, describing the move as a step toward strengthening transparency and public accountability in infrastructure financing.

“The publication of detailed provincial and council-level allocations forms part of ZINARA’s broader transparency initiative, aimed at building public confidence in the management of fuel levies and road user funds,” said Tafadzwa Chikumbu of Transparency International

However, while financial utilisation figures show full absorption, questions often raised by residents and civil society groups revolve around the visible quality and durability of completed road works, an area likely to remain under scrutiny, with Rusape, reportedly purchasing a brand new vehicle, Nissan Pickup using the funds, while others fixed and restored broken down yellow machines.

The report positions Manicaland as one of the provinces achieving full budget deployment in 2025, but sustained monitoring will determine whether financial compliance translates into lasting infrastructure improvements.