By Maxwell Mapungwana
Mudzi Rural District Council has called for the timely release of devolution funds, saying delays are crippling the completion of critical infrastructure projects, some of which have been outstanding since 2019
34 Projects, 14 Still Outstanding
In its Devolution Funds Utilisation Report covering 2019 to 2025, the council says it undertook 34 projects during the period.
Only 20 have been completed, leaving 14 still outstanding by the end of last year.
Among the incomplete projects are the construction of Chori, Kambanje, Nyamhondoro, Banze, Mudzi, Donzwe and Katsande clinics, Masenda Community Hall, facilities at Kotwa Stadium, and classroom blocks at several schools.
No Funds Received in 2025
The council says the major bottleneck is funding.
“No disbursements have been received from 2025 to date,” the report states.
It also cites a poor road network in some wards which continues to limit access to essential services.
Progress Despite Setbacks
Despite the challenges, the report shows devolution funds have delivered tangible results for the district.
A major highlight is the completion of Chimango Clinic, which has significantly reduced the distance travelled by residents seeking healthcare.
The facility now serves about 2,284 households in Shinga Ward 4 and neighbouring communities in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe District.
In education, the council completed classroom blocks at Bangauya Secondary, Goronga Secondary, Mavhurazi Secondary, Musau Primary and Nyaugugu Primary, benefiting an estimated 3,000 learners in the Kotwa District Service Centre area.
Other completed works include a semi-detached house at Chisvo Secondary School, renovations at Mukota Secondary, the science laboratory at Nyakuchena, and upgrades at Chingamuka Clinic.
Key Investments Since 2019
In 2019 alone, the council completed the Makaha water reticulation project at a cost of US$1.74 million and renovated Nyamapanda Clinic for US$100,000.
To strengthen its operations, the council procured a tractor and trailer, a tipper truck and a water bowser in 2019 and 2020.
It fenced Gozi Clinic, installed streetlights in Kotwa, and in 2022 purchased a borehole drilling rig to boost its capacity in water infrastructure.
Six projects were completed in 2023, including renovations at Mukota Secondary, Nyakuchena laboratory, Chingamuka Clinic, Nyamukoho Primary and Secondary schools.
Eight more were completed in 2024, while Chitungwira Primary staff house and a pneumatic roller were commissioned in 2025.
Backlog and Way Forward
The report shows the backlog grew as new projects were added without matching funding.
They rose from 10 outstanding projects in 2019 to 23 in 2023, before declining to 15 in 2024 and 14 in 2025.
Outstanding works include the upgrading of Nyamapanda Bus Terminus through paving and construction of waiting sheds, as well as staff houses and classroom blocks in underserved areas.
For 2026, the council says focus will be on completing projects such as the Kudzwe Secondary classroom block, where painting is the only outstanding task.
The council recommends prioritizing high-impact projects to ensure strategic infrastructure is completed before new projects are introduced.
It argues that this will maximise limited resources and improve service delivery.
For Mudzi, a largely rural district where access to healthcare, education and water remains a challenge, the completion of these projects is critical to local development.
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