BULAWAYO, SEPT 14, SOUTHERN EYE LIVE) : BULAWAYO mayor David Coltart has urged councillors to take seriously concerns raised by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) following the recent arrest of four serving councillors and a former councillor on extortion charges, saying the incident had eroded public confidence in the council.
The four councillors, Edwin Ndlovu (deputy mayor), Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Ashton Mhlanga, and Mxolisi Mahlangu, were granted bail, while former councillor Rodney Jele was remanded in custody.
The five stand accused of attempting to extort businessman Thulani Mthuli over a hotel stand.
Speaking during a council meeting, Coltart urged councillors to carefully consider concerns raised by residents' groups and work towards restoring public confidence in the local authority.
“All I say to you councillors is that we need to take serious heed of what organisations like the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association have said,” he said.
“These incidents shake the confidence of the public in this council. I'm not apportioning blame. I'm just stating a fact identified by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association and undoubtedly reflecting the views of others, and we cannot just pretend or wish this away,” he said.
The mayor said the matter was not appropriate for detailed discussion at that point, but encouraged councillors to study the residents association's recommendations.
He expressed hope that the concerns could subsequently be discussed at committee level, with councillors taking steps to rebuild trust between the council and residents.
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