Harare cartels fuelling Bulawayo chaos

Chaos at the Bulawayo City Council has reportedly been fuelled by what sources describe as Harare-based cartels seeking multi-million-dollar tenders for projects under the local authority's jurisdiction.

On Friday, Mayor David Coltart revealed that tensions surrounding Town Clerk Christopher Dube's contract renewal had split councillors, with reports that those opposing the extension were facing threats from unidentified individuals. Coltart said that a council meeting intended to deliberate Dube's contract had to be abandoned after it "rapidly degenerated into total disorder," with councillors trading insults and threats.

Dube's contract had expired last year, but he was initially granted a one-year extension before requesting a further extension until he reaches the government retirement age of 70 under new regulations. The ensuing dispute drew in Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe and Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube, with Garwe reportedly advising the council to seek guidance from the Attorney General's office, given the wider human resource implications of extending Dube's contract.

Despite ministerial intervention, sources say that alleged tenderpreneurs—many linked to Zanu-PF—have used bribes and threats to influence councillors, positioning Dube as a pawn in the pursuit of lucrative contracts. One councillor indicated that a Harare-based businessman had been lobbying the council for a tender involving critical services over the past 30 years, submitting proposals that outlined a build, own, operate, and transfer (BOOT) arrangement. Although councillors rejected the proposal in August, the company continued outreach to individual councillors, sources added. Four local Bulawayo companies have since submitted expressions of interest for the same project.

The internal strife over Dube's contract and the unsolicited tender approaches have reportedly caused some councillors to sabotage city projects, including the proposed Glassblock Dam, a medium-term solution to Bulawayo's water shortages. Planned for the Mzingwane River, the dam is designed to hold 130 million cubic metres of water, with an estimated construction cost of US$100 million. Council intends to partner with private investors to realize the project.

Coltart emphasized that the council remains committed to a lawful resolution, despite what he described as "brazenly illegal conduct and a climate of fear, threats, and intimidation."

"The current situation, where the pursuit of personal interests is crowding out attention being given to the serious challenges facing the city, is shameful and must immediately end in the best interests of the people we serve, namely the residents of the City of Bulawayo," Coltart told journalists.

The fallout at Bulawayo City Council highlights growing concerns over external influence, internal divisions, and governance challenges at one of Zimbabwe's key urban centers, raising questions about the integrity of local government operations.