Bulawayo Mayor, David Coltart, has acknowledged the city is facing a serious corruption crisis following the arrest of four serving councillors, saying that while he shares residents’ alarm and supports decisive action, he does not have the legal authority to suspend the accused officials.
Coltart said the power to suspend councillors facing allegations of misconduct rests with the Minister of Local Government, (Daniel Garwe) effectively putting the responsibility for the immediate disciplinary response on central government.
His comments come amid the arrest of four serving councillors, including Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu, Chairpersons of the Business Committee – Mxolisi Mahlangu and Chairperson of the Stands Allocation Committee – Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu and another councillor – Ashton Mhlanga, as well as a former councillor – Rodney Jele in connection with allegations of extortion involving a US$52 000 payment allegedly sought from a local businessman.
The councillors are accused of soliciting the money in connection with a development lease for a hotel, allegations which they deny.
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In a statement issued on August 27, 2026, Coltart said the cases were now before the courts and it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the allegations or circumstances surrounding the arrests, although he also stressed the accused councillors remained innocent until proven guilty.
However, Coltart said the current situation had raised legitimate concerns about the integrity of the local authority, since the latest arrests brings to six the number of councillors either facing criminal proceedings or having been convicted of offences linked to their offices.
“In addition, one other councillor, the Chair of the Finance Committee (Mpumelelo Moyo) has been convicted of a criminal offence related to his office and is awaiting an appeal against his conviction in the High Court,” ,” he said.
“Another councillor (Josiah Mutangi), was recently convicted of an offence related to his office and has been removed from office by the Minister of Local Government.”
Mutangi’s Ward 1 seat was declared vacant in July 2026 and is pending a by-election on October 3, 2026.
Coltart admitted the involvement of six councillors in criminal proceedings or convictions had “deeply undermined public confidence in the council” and shared the concerns raised by residents and residents’ associations.
He also pointed out Bulawayo had 38 councillors, many of whom continued to perform their duties in the public interest but noted a need “to address the concerns of the general public, aside from the criminal proceedings taking place.”
The mayor’s statement comes after the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) called for the city to take internal accountability measures following the arrests.
BPRA has called for council investigations, enforcement of asset declarations, greater institutional transparency and stronger oversight mechanisms.
However, on the key question of whether the accused councillors could be suspended pending the outcome of their cases, Coltart said the authority did not lie with him or the council.
The mayor cited Section 278 of the Constitution and Section 114 of the Urban Councils Act as the legal framework governing the suspension and removal of councillors.
He said the removal of a councillor involves an independent tribunal process in cases involving, among other grounds, gross incompetence, gross misconduct, wilful violation of the law or conviction for an offence involving dishonesty, corruption or abuse of office.
The mayor said Section 114(2) of the Urban Councils Act gives the Minister of Local Government the power to suspend a councillor where there are reasonable grounds for suspecting misconduct.
“In other words, the council itself does not have the power to suspend Councillors; that right vests solely in the Minister,” Coltart said.
This means despite his support for suspending councillors facing serious corruption-related charges, Coltart says he cannot implement the measure himself.
“My own view is 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,” he said.
“But that is not my decision or power; it is a power which solely vests in the Minister.”
Coltart also proposed the council positions affected by any suspensions should be temporarily filled by other councillors to make sure the city’s committees continue functioning.
“Once again, my view is all the offices affected at present should be filled during this period of suspension by other Councillors, in acting positions, pending either the upliftment of the suspensions or the ultimate removal of the respective Councillors if they are ultimately convicted,” he said.
While the mayor says the decisive disciplinary authority rests with the Minister, he said there were other measures that council could pursue to strengthen accountability.
Coltart endorsed BPRA’s recommendations on institutional transparency, asset declarations and oversight by civil society and political parties.
He claimed he had attempted to introduce an asset declaration policy shortly after taking office but faced resistance.
“Soon after taking office, I sought to implement the asset declaration policy but faced opposition to the suggestion,” he said.
Coltart said he had followed up on the issue on July 7, 2026 after asking the council’s Human Resources Director for an update, only to be informed the process had stalled.
“I agree 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,” he said.
The mayor said the policy should cover both councillors and council employees, arguing Bulawayo could provide an example for other local authorities and central government.
“My view is the policy should apply to both councillors and members of staff,” he said, adding he nevertheless remained committed to using the powers available to him to strengthen transparency and accountability within the council.
The mayor assured residents he shared their concerns and remained committed to a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
“My view has always been (and has often been stated publicly by me) that there needs to be a zero-tolerance approach to corruption,” Coltart said.
“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.”
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