Zimbabwe’s second-largest city has been plunged into a governance crisis following the arrest of four Bulawayo City Council (BCC) councillors, including the deputy Mayor, on extortion charges.
This development brings the number of city fathers facing criminal charges or convictions to six, deeply undermining public confidence in the civic chamber.
The rapid succession of arrests has prompted mayor, David Coltart, to issue a strongly-worded statement calling for a “zero-tolerance approach to corruption” and demanding immediate structural reforms.
Over the past five days, four councillors (Edwin Ndlovu, Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Mxolisi Mahlangu and Ashton Mhlanga) were apprehended by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
The accused, who are facing serious extortion charges, include the deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu, the chair of the business committee, the chair of the stands allocation committee, and one other ward representative.
While acknowledging the severity of the situation, Coltart noted that because the cases are sub judice, it would be “inappropriate for me to comment on the allegations levelled against them or the circumstances surrounding their arrest.”
He added that “it is a fundamental tenet of our justice system that all persons are presumed innocent until proved guilty by a court of law.”
However, the arrests have triggered intense alarm.
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The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has issued a detailed statement calling on the local authority to take disciplinary action independent of the State prosecution.
This public alarm is exacerbated by the fact that the deputy mayor, the chair of the business committee, the chair of the stands alocation committee, and one other councillor are facing serious charges directly related to their offices.
The crisis runs deeper still.
Beyond the four newly arrested officials, another councillor—the chair of the finance committee—has been convicted of a criminal offence related to his office and is awaiting an appeal against his conviction in the High Court.
A sixth councillor, Josiah Mutangi (Zanu PF), was recently convicted of an office-related offence and was removed from office by the Local Government ministry.
“The spectre of six councillors either facing criminal charges, or actually convicted of criminal charges, deeply undermines public confidence in the council,” Coltart admitted.
He added that while there are many dedicated councillors amongst the 38-member chamber working diligently in the public interest, there is a need to address the concerns of the general public aside from the ongoing criminal proceedings.
In response to the crisis, BPRA recommended that the BCC institute internal disciplinary proceedings.
However, Coltart highlighted the legal logjam preventing immediate local action under Section 278 of the Zimbabwean constitution and Section 114 of the Urban Councils Act.
Councillors can only be removed from office if an independent tribunal finds them guilty of gross incompetence, gross misconduct, wilful violation of the law, or has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty, corruption, or abuse of office.
Crucially, Section 114(2) of the Urban Councils Act dictates that the council itself does not possess the power to suspend its members; that authority is vested solely in the f Local Government minister.
Expressing his personal frustration with these structural limitations.
“My own view is that councillors charged with offences involving dishonesty, corruption or abuse of office directly related to their office as councillors should automatically be suspended pending either their acquittal or the outcome of the internal investigation and decision of the tribunal,” Coltart said. “But that is not my decision or power; it is a power which solely vests in the minister.”
The mayor proposed that all affected offices be filled by other councillors in acting positions during these suspension periods to prevent the collapse of municipal administration, pending the outcome of the legal processes or tribunals.
The unfolding scandal has also breathed new life into stalled transparency initiatives.
BPRA has urged the BCC to enforce asset declarations, enhance institutional transparency, and allow for closer oversight by civil society and political parties.
Coltart stated that he “respectfully concur[red] with all of these recommendations,” but was particularly candid about the resistance he has faced regarding the asset registry.
Soon after taking office, Coltart attempted to implement a mandatory asset declaration policy, only to encounter severe opposition within the local authority.
On July 7 this year, the mayor requested a progress report from the BCC human resources director, only to be formally advised that the process had been “stalled.”
“I agree that this policy needs to be reinvigorated and adopted by BCC as a matter of urgency and undertake to do everything in my power to expedite the process,” Coltart vowed, emphasising that the declaration policy must apply equally to both councillors and senior staff members.
The mayor expressed hope that if Bulawayo takes the lead in establishing a robust asset declaration framework, “similar policies can be adopted by other councils and indeed central government.”
As pressure mounts on both the local government ministry and the BCC to restore integrity to City Hall, Coltart reassured the public of his commitment to accountability.
“My view has always been (and has often been stated publicly by me) that there needs to be a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
“Unless we deal with the scourge of corruption in Bulawayo, and indeed throughout Zimbabwe, we will not realise the tremendous potential of our city and nation,” Coltart added.
