'Chamisa has sold out'

The swearing-in ceremony of David Coltart as the new Mayor of Bulawayo was marred by tension and protests, with demonstrators criticizing Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa for imposing candidates.

Coltart assumed the Mayorship uncontested in a council dominated by CCC members, with Donald Mabutho as his deputy, a choice viewed unfavorably by some Bulawayo residents who consider him an outsider.

Before the nomination of contenders, Coltart requested a delay in the election, citing an internal process, which was not granted. He subsequently nominated Mabutho for the deputy Mayorship, a move that didn't sit well with some.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, protesters gathered outside and expressed their discontent with Chamisa's perceived imposition of candidates, which they viewed as a betrayal. Patricia Tshabala, a vocal critic, accused Chamisa of "selling out" and criticized outsiders being elected as mayors and councillors in Bulawayo.

The Bulawayo City Council has faced allegations of corruption and misgovernance under previous leadership, leading to disruptions in service delivery. In his acceptance speech, Coltart pledged to address corruption within the municipality and called for collective efforts to revive the city's potential, emphasizing a zero-tolerance attitude towards corruption among councillors.