Tshabangu denies plot to oust Coltart

CITIZENS Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu has dismissed reports that he is plotting to remove Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart from office, describing the claims as false, misleading and legally unfounded.

Tshabangu was responding to a weekend newspaper report alleging that discussions were underway within his faction of the CCC to replace Coltart following his absence from a presidential borehole commissioning programme in Cowdray Park nearly a month ago.

The event, officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa's investment adviser Paul Tungwarara, was attended by several CCC councillors and evolved into a public show of support for the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), with participants carrying placards endorsing the proposed constitutional changes.

Coltart's absence reportedly angered some senior figures aligned to Tshabangu's faction, prompting speculation that plans were being made to remove him from office.

The report claimed deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu was being considered to replace Coltart, while Ward 17 councillor Skhululekile Moyo was tipped to become deputy mayor to preserve gender balance.

However, speaking to CITE, Tshabangu categorically denied the claims.

"The article titled 'Tshabangu faction plots to oust Coltart' published by *The Standard* is misleading and factually inaccurate," he said.

He accused the publication of failing to verify its claims before publication.

"This kind of reporting is unethical and should not be tolerated. The media has a duty to verify facts and confirm authenticity before publication. Publishing unverified claims undermines the credibility and integrity of journalism in this country," he said.

Tshabangu insisted he had no intention of seeking Coltart's removal.

"For the record, I have no plans at all to remove David Coltart as Mayor of Bulawayo. If there were ever such plans, I am not involved in them," he said.

He also urged people to stop associating his name with what he described as fabricated political narratives.

"People must stop using my name to sell their stories or to revive their political or business interests," Tshabangu added.

The CCC interim secretary-general further argued that the party could not unilaterally remove a mayor under Zimbabwe's laws.

"The Mayor of Bulawayo, like any other mayor, will succeed or fail on his own record. The party does not have absolute power to remove a mayor under the Urban Councils Act without the approval of the Minister of Local Government. See Section 80 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15). It is therefore naive and legally illiterate to suggest that I can unilaterally 'remove' him," he said.

Tshabangu maintained that Coltart's political future would depend on his performance in office rather than alleged factional manoeuvres.

"His success or failure in office will determine whether he stays or leaves, not fabricated factional plots," he said.

The controversy stems from the presidential borehole programme in Cowdray Park, where Tungwarara distributed cash to various groups attending the event.

According to reports, church leaders shared US$200, while some residents carrying placards supporting Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 allegedly received US$20 each.

During the event, CCC organising secretary Francis Badzarigere publicly criticised Coltart for failing to attend.

"I am not trying to be a racist, but we expect that if you are a city father, a mayor, and there is a programme of the President of this nature, it is wrong not to be here," Badzarigere was quoted as saying.

He also warned that the party would take action if the mayor continued to disregard what he described as party expectations.

"We have no problems with having a deputy mayor, but if the mayor does not give an apology, if the mayor behaves like he is an independent, we will take action," Badzarigere said.