CCC denies Chamisa's hand in Bulawayo mayoral election

The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party has denied reports suggesting that the election of Donaldson Mabutho as Bulawayo's deputy mayor was directed by party leader Nelson Chamisa.

David Coltart, a former Primary and Secondary Education minister, was elected unopposed as the mayor. Chamisa had previously suggested that Coltart was the best fit for the position. Following Coltart's election, he nominated Mabutho for the deputy mayor position. Mabutho was elected unopposed despite earlier reports that Dumisani Nkomo, former Habakkuk Trust chief executive officer, was expected to assume the deputy mayor position.

Protests erupted outside the council chambers by disgruntled residents who accused Chamisa of imposing both the mayor and deputy mayor on ratepayers.

CCC vice-president Welshman Ncube claimed that council members were directed to elect Mabutho unopposed and were told to send a photo of their ballot paper as proof of their vote. Bulawayo CCC spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza denied allegations linking Chamisa to the selection of the deputy mayor, stating that it was the choice of the council members.

Ambrose Sibindi, chairperson of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, condemned the election process, asserting that council members should have the right to choose their leaders among themselves, as outlined in the Urban Councils Act. He emphasized the need for council members to have the freedom to select leaders in the upcoming chairperson selections, rather than the party making the decisions on their behalf, using systems like "guided democracy." Sibindi argued that such practices could confuse residents about whose interests council members would serve, whether it be the party's or the residents'.