Bulawayo Mayor meets Catholic Bishop Pius Ncube

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has revealed that he met his long‑time friend, retired Roman Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube, during the weekend.


Ncube, who was transferred from Bulawayo to Matabeleland North following an alleged sexual scandal involving a woman named Rosemary — now late — was later widely believed to have been a victim of a political sting operation orchestrated by the late former President Robert Mugabe’s regime due to his outspoken criticism of Gukurahundi.

Writing on his Facebook page, Coltart said he was pleased to reconnect with Ncube in Bulawayo.

“Yesterday I met with an old friend of mine and one of Zimbabwe’s true heroes, retired Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube. Archbishop Pius showed astonishing bravery between 1983 and 1985 when, as a parish priest with very little protection, he reported on terrible atrocities being committed by the 5 Brigade in rural Matabeleland,” Coltart said.

“When he was later elevated to Archbishop, he showed similar bravery in calling out the serious human rights abuses committed from 2000 onwards.”

Coltart said Archbishop Ncube, who turns 80 next year, remains one of his personal heroes.

“We spent a good amount of time discussing the proposed changes to Zimbabwe’s abortion laws and the growing corruption in our society,” he added.

“God bless and keep you, Pius.”