Bulawayo City Council faces accusations of mismanaging land tenders, as developers who won bids in 2022 have failed to start construction after three years. A filling station site near Nkulumane Shopping Mall and a Romney Park creche remain undeveloped despite reserve prices of $25,000 and $14,300, respectively.
The council has issued only two major land allocation tenders over five years, forcing investors to seek opportunities in smaller municipalities. Corporate communications manager Nesisa Mpofu states developers receive 60 months to complete projects, leaving approximately 20 months for 2022 award recipients to comply with agreements.
Property developer Tapiwa Nyazika criticizes the tender process for attracting applicants who lack genuine development capacity. The December 2024 tender adjudication remains incomplete due to resource shortages, with completion expected in the first week of December 2025.
Business owners report that town planning officials consistently direct them to wait for tender advertisements that rarely materialize. Multiple investors have abandoned Bulawayo projects, relocating ventures to Harare and other cities offering more cooperative development frameworks.
The council has issued only two major land allocation tenders over five years, forcing investors to seek opportunities in smaller municipalities. Corporate communications manager Nesisa Mpofu states developers receive 60 months to complete projects, leaving approximately 20 months for 2022 award recipients to comply with agreements.
Property developer Tapiwa Nyazika criticizes the tender process for attracting applicants who lack genuine development capacity. The December 2024 tender adjudication remains incomplete due to resource shortages, with completion expected in the first week of December 2025.
Business owners report that town planning officials consistently direct them to wait for tender advertisements that rarely materialize. Multiple investors have abandoned Bulawayo projects, relocating ventures to Harare and other cities offering more cooperative development frameworks.
