BULAWAYO councillors are facing criticism from residents and activists for prioritising the extension of town clerk Christopher Dube’s contract over the city's escalating service delivery crisis.
The controversy has exposed deep divisions within council, with mayor David Coltart publicly opposing the move, while a majority of councillors, allegedly under political pressure, support extending Dube’s tenure to 2030.
In a statement, the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) described the councillors’ conduct as a “disgrace” and called for a refocus on the city’s crumbling services.
“Once known for strong leadership and effective governance, the city is now experiencing a concerning decline that requires urgent corrective action,” BPRA said.
The association urged councillors to uphold their constitutional mandate and place public interest above political considerations.
“BPRA is particularly concerned that councillors appear increasingly preoccupied with the town clerk’s contract at the expense of addressing Bulawayo’s escalating service delivery challenges,” the association said.
“This issue should be handled as a straightforward labour and legal matter, not a political battleground.”
It also highlighted that leadership contracts, including the town clerk’s, “should be evaluated based on clear performance indicators, not political agendas or legal manoeuvring”.
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The issue has been complicated by allegations of political interference.
Reports indicate that Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-styled Citizens Coalition for Change secretary- general, has directed councillors to support Dube’s tenure extension, threatening recall for non-compliance.
Harare-based cartels and State security agents are also rumoured to be pressuring council to secure the contract, with eyes on multi-million-dollar projects in the city.
Deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu recently made a U-turn, issuing a statement supporting the five-year extension after initially, along with the mayor, seeking clarity on the legal basis for it.
South Africa-based political activist Fortune Mlalazi echoed the residents’ frustrations, linking the tenure dispute to national political battles.
Initially, councillors considered a one-year extension after seeking legal advice.
However, a full council meeting later resolved to extend Dube’s contract by five years to 2030.
Ndlovu stated that the decision was not based on the statutory instrument that raised the retirement age to 70, but rather on council’s discretion to extend contracts for officials under 70.
