Embattled Bulawayo town clerk, Christopher Dube, is at the centre of a political storm after refusing to vacate office, instead lobbying for a controversial contract extension that could keep him in power until the age of 70.
Dube, who has held the powerful post since 2016, recently penned a letter to the mayor and councillors, demanding that council reverse its February 2024 resolution, which set his retirement for November 2026, with a review clause at 65.
In a confidential letter dated September 30, 2025, Dube argued that his continued employment should be aligned with the new government policy Statutory Instrument 198 of 2024, which extended the retirement age for local authority chief executive officers from 65 to 70 years.
But Dube’s attempt to stretch his tenure has drawn sharp criticism from residents, political analysts, and civic groups, who accuse him of clinging to power while presiding over a crumbling city.
Critics have slammed Dube’s bid as self-serving and tone-deaf to the suffering of ordinary Bulawayo residents.
Assembly of Minorities president, Mudenda Chilumbo, did not mince his words.
“No one must be found to be above the law,” Chilumbo said.
“The biggest problem is not the town clerk.
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“The biggest problems are their masters.
“Obviously, his employers, up to the president of Zimbabwe.”
“He's not yet convinced about his mistakes and misappropriation of resources under his administration,” he said..”
He said Dube’s time was up.
“So, everybody who is in public office now is becoming defiant because the leader himself doesn't respect the constitution by pushing his supporters to run behind the 2030 agenda, which is against the constitution,” he said.
