Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has come close to admitting differences in councillors’ visions for the direction the country’s second-largest city should take.
This comes after he endorsed a statement by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) calling for accountability measures within the local authority.
Coltart, who posted a statement by the residents association, captioned it: “I respectfully associate myself, and agree, with the attached statement issued by BPRA issued today.”
The mayor’s endorsement comes amid the arrest of four serving Bulawayo councillors, including the deputy mayor, and a former councillor in connection with allegations of extortion involving a US$52 000 payment allegedly sought from a local businessman.
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The arrests have raised eyebrows and questions about governance, integrity and accountability within the Bulawayo City Council, with BPRA calling for internal disciplinary proceedings and structural reforms to strengthen oversight of councillors and municipal resources.
BPRA said it was concerned by allegations involving four current councillors and one former councillor.
“Although the matter is still ongoing in the courts of law, BPRA categorically condemns all forms of corruption,” the residents association said.
“The alleged involvement of the city’s highest public offices in bribery, extortion and malpractice undermines public trust and desecrates the city’s foundational value of integrity.”
The association said councillors were entrusted with public office and had a responsibility to act transparently and ethically in the interests of residents and the city’s business community.
“It is the duty of the City of Bulawayo to provide ethical leaders who champion transparency, accountability, and conduct that builds trust with the residents and business community to make sure the city reclaims its position as a smart city, that is the industrial hub of Zimbabwe,” BPRA said.
The controversy follows the arrest of Ward 8 councillor and deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu, Ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu and former Ward 22 councillor Alderman Rodney Jele.
They appeared in court facing extortion allegations arising from a development lease awarded to a company seeking to construct a hotel in Bulawayo.
The three are accused of soliciting US$52 000 from the company after allegedly threatening to have its lease cancelled.
The lease was reportedly signed in March 2023.
The two serving councillors opposed their placement on remand, arguing there was no evidence linking them to the alleged offence.
They asked magistrate Isheunesu Matova to dismiss the charges before plea.
The case has since widened, with councillors Mxolisi Mahlangu and Ashton Mhlanga presenting themselves at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) offices in Bulawayo after allegedly implicated in the same case.
Their lawyer, Nqobani Sithole, confirmed the two councillors had been formally charged and arrested on allegations of extortion and are expected to appear in court.
The arrests have intensified scrutiny of the city’s councillors and the mechanisms in place to prevent abuse of municipal authority, particularly in the allocation and management of land and development leases.
BPRA said the allegations should serve as a catalyst for the council to strengthen its internal accountability mechanisms rather than wait for the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
The association called on the city council to institute its own investigations into the allegations and follow procedures provided for under the Urban Councils Act.
“The City of Bulawayo must institute its own investigations into the alleged corruption by city officials and follow the necessary protocols provided in the Urban Councils Act,” BPRA said.
BPRA also called for stricter enforcement of asset declarations by councillors and other public officials, arguing such disclosures could help identify unexplained wealth and potential conflicts of interest.
“The full declaration of assets and liabilities must be strictly enforced for all councillors and public officials to expose unexplained wealth and conflicts of interest,” the association said.
BPRA further demanded greater transparency in the administration of municipal finances and public assets, particularly land and leases.
“The city council must implement rigorous financial disclosure requirements and strengthen oversight mechanisms for public land, leases, and municipal resources,” it said.
The residents association also called on political parties and relevant oversight institutions to strengthen whistle-blower protections and ethical standards within the local authority.
The recommendations come at a time when Bulawayo is seeking to attract investment and revive its long-standing reputation as Zimbabwe’s industrial and commercial centre.
The ongoing concern is these allegations of corruption involving officials entrusted with managing municipal affairs could undermine efforts to rebuild confidence among residents, investors and businesses.
BPRA said corruption allegations involving elected representatives were particularly damaging because councillors were expected to safeguard public resources and make sure municipal decisions served residents rather than individual interests.
The association, however, did not pronounce the councillors guilty, stressing the allegations remained subject to due process.
Its position reflects the need for the council to distinguish between accountability measures within the institution and the determination of criminal guilt, which remains the responsibility of the courts.
The mayor’s public endorsement of BPRA’s statement also places greater emphasis on the council’s internal response to the allegations.
While Coltart did not independently elaborate on the differences among councillors or identify particular individuals, his decision to publicly associate himself with the residents association’s call for accountability signals support for stronger institutional oversight.
Meanwhile BPRA said public office must be exercised in a manner that protects the integrity of the local authority and maintains public confidence.
“BPRA stands resolute with the residents of Bulawayo. We remain committed to defending public accountability and ensuring that municipal decisions solely serve the interests of the community,” the association said.
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