Chaos erupts over Bulawayo water utility

A high-level meeting at the Bulawayo City Council descended into chaos after councillors clashed over the composition of a proposed water utility board, exposing deep divisions over the city's plan to transition to a private-sector-led water model.

The meeting, meant to finalise arrangements for the Bulawayo Water and Sanitation Utility, instead turned violent as factions battled over who should oversee the entity during its critical three-month transition phase.

The utility's formation follows a directive issued on March 19, 2026, by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, aimed at addressing Bulawayo's worsening water crisis. Strategic partners, including Helcraw Water, are backing the initiative to improve supply in the drought-prone city.

Initially, council's general purposes committee - chaired by Mayor David Coltart and his deputy Edwin Ndlovu - had proposed a compromise that included elected officials and residents' representatives on the seven-member interim board.

Under the proposal, councillors Khalazani Ndlovu and Royan Sekete would sit alongside senior council officials and representatives from residents' associations to ensure accountability.

However, when the recommendations were tabled before the full council on April 1, proceedings spiralled into what witnesses described as a "war zone."

A faction led by councillors Donaldson Mabutho and Nkosilathi Hove opposed the inclusion of elected representatives and residents' groups.

Tensions escalated dramatically as members of the faction allegedly charged toward the mayor and his deputy in a physical confrontation. Order was only restored after councillors Ntando Ndlovu and Mmeli Moyo intervened to restrain those involved.

Following the incident, Coltart ordered the removal of the deputy mayor and Mabutho from the chamber to restore order.

Despite the turmoil, council went on to pass a contentious resolution excluding elected officials and residents' representatives from the interim board, leaving it composed solely of council employees.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from analysts. Social commentator Thabo Nyoni described the outcome as a setback for civic participation.

"By purging elected officials from this board, residents have effectively been silenced on a matter affecting a vital public resource," he said.

Political analyst Mandla Dube warned that the move undermines accountability.

"Rejecting a representative board through violence sacrifices transparency and risks turning the utility into a tool for narrow political interests," he said.

As the city pushes ahead with reforms to address chronic water shortages, the violent fallout has raised fresh concerns about governance, transparency, and public trust in the management of essential services.