Chaos at Bulawayo council meeting over traditional attire dispute

Tensions flared and order broke down at Bulawayo City Council's 3,394th full council meeting on Wednesday after councillors clashed over a controversial dress code dispute, prompting one senior councillor to walk out in protest.

The uproar erupted when three councillors - Tinevimbo Maphosa (Ward 21), Nkosilathi Hove (Ward 6), and Donaldson Mabuto (Ward 9) - attended the meeting without wearing the mandated traditional attire, sparking outrage from fellow councillors and igniting a fierce debate that lasted over an hour.

The dress code had been formalised in a June 2024 resolution requiring all councillors and staff to don traditional or African wear during council sessions held in celebration of Bulawayo Day and the Bulawayo Arts Festival.

Despite the standing resolution, the trio's defiance triggered a motion to eject them from the meeting. The motion went to a vote, with 18 councillors supporting their removal and 12 voting against it. However, in a surprise move, Mayor David Coltart ruled in favour of allowing them to remain, arguing that the matter should not overshadow the council's core duties.

This decision prompted Ward 26 Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, who also chairs the Finance and Development Committee, to storm out of the chamber in protest.

"We have a standing resolution on what we should wear, but because you lost after voting in support of ignoring the resolution, now you are changing the game rules. This is tomfoolery - we can't have this," fumed Moyo before exiting the meeting.

The incident became so heated that the city council eventually cut the live feed of the proceedings, citing concerns over decorum and public perception.

In a memo issued before the meeting, Chamber Secretary Sikhangele Zhou had reminded councillors of the attire requirement, calling it symbolic of the city's pride in its cultural identity and creative sector.

"It shall be recalled that Council (5th June 2024) resolved that councillors and staff dress in traditional and African attire for every Bulawayo Day and Bulawayo Arts Festival Commemorations," Zhou wrote.

The statement emphasised that adhering to the resolution was a public show of commitment to the city's cultural values and artistic heritage.

This is not the first time that attire has sparked friction in council chambers. During the May full council meeting, some councillors also raised concerns about Mayor Coltart's decision to wear a coat instead of a full suit, highlighting a growing trend of symbolic disputes overshadowing substantive governance issues.

As residents look on, questions are being raised about whether council priorities are becoming sidetracked by ceremonial concerns at the expense of service delivery and civic development.