BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) recently rejected a request by the King Mambo Royal Council to use the Small City Hall for free.
According to the latest council minutes, King Mambo wrote to the local authority seeking permission to use the Small City Hall for the royal house’ celebrations set for October 11.
“I am applying for the use of Small City Hall on October 11, 2025 for royal activities. Mambo Royal Council is operating under Mambo Dynasty Trust, which was registered as a trust in July 2015,” read the letter from Mambo Royal Council dated September 16.
“Please note: For the last 10 years, we have never involved ourselves in politics and we will remain so. Kindly allow us to use your Small City Hall free of charge.”
According to council policy, the municipality grant free use of its facilities only for national events such as Independence, Heroes and Defence Forces Days.
“Council grant 50% discount to private voluntary organisations and special needs groups as and when such applications are submitted to the general purposes committee for determination/consideration as appropriate,” the minutes read.
“In view of the above-mentioned, the applicants are a private voluntary organisation, which in accordance to council’s current policy, qualify for a 50% discount.
“It had been recommended that Mambo Royal Council be granted use of the Small City Hall at a 50% discount.”
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Deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu proposed that the Mambo Royal Council be made to pay the full
amount.
Town clerk Christopher Dube said a precedent was set when council allowed King Mzilikazi commemorations to be held at the venue at half the price.
Indications are that after further deliberation, the proposal by the deputy mayor was unanimously supported by other councillors.
“Therefore, it was resolved to recommend that Mambo Royal Council pays 100% of the booking amount to use the Small City Hall,” the council minutes read.
In an interview, King Mambo, born Mike Moyo, could not hide his displeasure.
“We have been treated unfairly by council because it is not consistent,” he said.
“In 2017, they gave us a huge discount, but nevertheless, we paid the full amount of US$645.”
