The special council meeting for the election was confirmed
by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) corporate communications officer, Miss
Bongiwe Ngwenya on Friday.
“The City of Bulawayo will hold a Special Council meeting
on Monday, 11 September 2023 at 2.30pm for the election of the Mayor and Deputy
Mayor. Members of the public who wish to follow proceedings will be
accommodated at the Small City Hall,” said Miss Ngwenya.
The opposition party has endorsed ward four councillor and
former Education Minister, David Coltart for the mayoral post and ward five
councillor, Octavius Dumisani Nkomo as his deputy, as per instructions from
Advocate Chamisa. However, indications last week were that Advocate Chamisa had
changed goal posts regarding the Deputy Mayor position giving councillors the greenlight to elect anyone of their
choice.
Ironically both Clr Coltart and Clr Nkomo had lost in the
candidate selection process in the run up to the harmonised elections, but they
were imposed by Advocate Chamisa despite their loss, party insiders said. It
has since emerged that the newly elected councillors were clashing among
themselves with some considering going against the party directive to elect Clr
Coltart, and instead elect Clr Nkomo as the new Mayor, with the backing of
civic society.
Sources said Advocate Chamisa on the other hand has advised
councillors that he will inform them of his decision on the next Mayor and
deputy at a party caucus that is set for their Bulawayo offices this morning.
“Initially Chamisa had agreed that councillors will elect
their own Deputy Mayor but due to mounting pressure from known former and
current civic leaders, he is now pushing that Clr Nkomo, who himself is coming
from the civic society either takes the mayorship or the deputy position.
“Regarding Clr Coltart there is pressure from other
sections of society in Bulawayo that it would not be justified that he be given
the mayoral position on a silver platter. So as it stands, Chamisa has told
councillors that they will be made aware of his decision tomorrow (today)
before the actual elections,” said the party source
Speaking to a local online publication, Clr Nkomo confirmed
that he had been approached by the CCC to work with Clr Coltart as his deputy.
“The reason why I was approached and asked to work with
Coltart as his deputy is because they believed that I have the capability to do
so. We are ready to fight for a noble cause, to fight those who want to drive
corruption in a city that means so much to so many people,” he said.
The city’s councillors returned yesterday from a three-day
induction workshop in Gweru where it emerged that they have also started
allocating themselves committee chairpersonship positions even before council
officials allocate them the said committees. According to council standing
rules, councillors submit their three preferred committees to council
officials. The officials then allocate the committees to the councillors as per
qualifications. “So far Clr Mpumelelo Moyo (ward 26) has been seconded to be the
chairperson of the financial services committee, Clr Sikhululekile Moyo (ward
17) health, housing and education committee and Clr Alec Ndlovu (ward 25) has
been seconded to chair the town planning committee.”
Meanwhile, the city’s former Mayor, Solomon Mguni has
called on the councillors to guard against imposition, saying their loyalty
should lie with the residents who elected them. He said that it is their right
as councillors to elect a Mayor and Deputy Mayor of their choice.
“As we congratulate the newly elected councillors of the
City of Bulawayo; we take this opportunity to wish them well in the service of
our beloved city. We remind them that their loyalty lies with their ward
residents who elected them. Our councillors must hit the ground running and
deliver on their promises to the expectant voters who reposed their confidence
in them. We reiterate that it is their right as councillors to elect a Mayor
and Deputy Mayor of their choice. That is what democracy and the Urban Councils
Act dictate. They must be able to enjoy their term of office as councillors;
under the leadership of their choice,” said Mr Mguni.
He said the new councillors must not elect a leader just
because one has been imposed on themselves.
“It is in the interest of the city to have a leader who is
acceptable to all stakeholders. Under current law, the mayoral post is a
ceremonial post. Executive powers are derived from council standing committees
and council resolutions. The Mayor and his Deputy are just but first among
equals. They are not bosses of councillors. Each and every councillor must
therefore focus on his or her area of deployment; which is the ward, so that
they collectively deliver on the aspirations of our people,” said Mr Mguni.
Sunday News
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