BULAWAYO, OCT 9, (SOUTHERN EYE LIVE): The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has dismissed as baseless purported recalls of Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, Senator Ivumile Kucaca Phulu and three Members of Parliament.
In a statement dated October 9, 2026, the Sengezo Tshabangu led CCC said the correspondence circulating in the public domain and purportedly delivered to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Senate President Mabel Chinomona and Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe did not represent its position.
“The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has noted with concern correspondence currently circulating in the public domain and seemingly delivered to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda; the President of the Senate, Mabel Chinomona; and the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel Garwe, MP,” said CCC interim national spokesperson Nqobizitha Mlilo.
“The correspondence purports to execute recalls of certain named public representatives.”
Mlilo said the purported recalls had no factual, political or legal basis and did not represent the position of the party.
The correspondence, dated October 7, 2026, names Surrender Kepoikilu, the MP for Bulawayo Central, Carban Madzivanyika of Mbizo constituency in Kwekwe and Togarepi Zivai Mhetu of Epworth North.
Phulu, who represents Bulawayo Province in the Senate, was named in a separate notification to Chinomona, while Coltart was targeted in a letter to Garwe over his position as the elected councillor for Ward Four in Bulawayo.
The notifications invoke Section 129K of the Constitution, which deals with circumstances in which legislators cease to belong to the political parties under which they were elected.
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However, the CCC interim leadership said recalls were not part of its current political strategy, which it said was centred on rebuilding party structures and restoring institutional stability.
“We have consistently maintained that our current trajectory is defined by party reconstruction, institutional renewal, and structural consolidation,” Mlilo said.
“Recalls of elected public representatives are not a political weapon of choice for this leadership. Our governance framework is anchored on consensus building, institutional cohesion, and stability.”
The party further alleged that preliminary internal investigations had identified individuals behind the correspondence, accusing them of seeking to use recalls to force elected officials into demonstrating allegiance.
It said the alleged conduct was intended to destabilise the party through rumours and internal divisions.
“The malicious intent of these actors is their long-standing aim at deploying recalls as a tool of extortion and coercion to force false allegiance from elected officials,” Mlilo said.
The CCC also warned that the conduct of the individuals involved could amount to contempt of court, adding that its legal counsel had been briefed to advise on the appropriate course of action.
“The forthcoming legal counsel will inform the political and administrative measures the party will employ to permanently resolve this infraction,” Mlilo said.
The party reassured its public representatives that they should continue carrying out their constitutional mandates, declaring that their tenure remained secure until at least 2030.
The latest developments come amid tensions surrounding the proposed agreement between the City of Bulawayo and Geo Pomona Waste Management for the redevelopment and management of Richmond Landfill, popularly known as Ngozi Mine.
Tshabangu was previously reported to have threatened to recall Coltart over the mayor's opposition to the proposed arrangement, arguing that political differences should not obstruct a waste-management project.
However, when contacted to confirm a post on X attributed to him, Tshabangu distanced himself from the account, saying he did not own it and warning that those attributing its contents to him could face legal action.
The proposed deal has faced resistance from residents' groups and civil-society organisations, which have called for transparency, public consultation and compliance with procurement laws before any agreement is concluded.
Bulawayo residents have also defended Coltart's insistence that the proposal should be subjected to scrutiny, with some questioning the Government's directive compelling the local authority to engage the company.
The latest dispute adds to the continuing divisions within the CCC over party leadership, the status of elected representatives and the use of recalls as a political tool.
Coltart also said he was not aware and was not sure of the recall letter legitimacy.
Ends
