Published on Legalbrief

Despite local controversy such as the jailing of opposition activists and pressure to move it from Harare, Zimbabwe, the 44th SADC ordinary summit which wrapped up yesterday was of the best-attended by heads of state and government over the past nine years. Legalbrief reports that the Harare summit ran under the theme: Promoting Innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an Industrialised SADC. Just three heads of state didn’t attend (Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, Comoros’ Azali Assoumani and Prithvirajsing Roopun of Mauritius). The least attended summit was in SA in 2017 where just nine out of 16 heads of state and government showed up. News24 reports that Claver Gatete, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, spoke about SADC’s capacity and the importance of working together. ‘The region is home to most of the world’s gold, copper, cobalt, lithium, chromium, graphite and platinum and possesses significant livestock and agricultural endowments. We have no choice but to look inward for homegrown solutions including domestic resource mobilisation and innovative financing for climate to sustain our development. And SADC can be a leader on this imperative,’ he said.

Ahead of the summit, Zambia and the DRC were locked in a trade dispute over imports from Zambia, with Lusaka responding by closing its borders. The two countries are both Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and SADC members. However, they are not signatories to trade pacts of the two blocks and, therefore, rely on a bilateral agreement signed in 2015. Lesotho’s Prime Minister Sam Matekane, who survived a vote of no confidence with the help of the military last year, left the summit a happy man after the bloc highlighted that his government is on track with political reforms. He was urged to move with speed to pass the 10th, 11th and 12th Amendment to the Constitution Bills known as the Omnibus Bill, to end a decades-long crisis that can be traced back to events before the 2014 coup. The Summit also commended the DRC, eSwatini, Madagascar, SA and Zimbabwe for successfully holding peaceful elections.

In key developments, SADC removed eSwatini’s political and security situation from the discussion table of the Troika Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation. But SADC leaders ‘noted the positive progress regarding the political and security situation in the Kingdom of eSwatini’ as presented by King Mswati III. Activists calling for political reforms in eSwatini had urged the SADC to take decisive action to deal with the deteriorating situation in the kingdom. The Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) – a coalition of political parties and civil society pro-democracy organisations – called on the regional bloc to ‘intensify its engagement with the eSwatini Government’ and apply ‘pressure to ensure that the recommendations previously made by SADC are fully implemented’. ‘The time for collegial approaches has passed; SADC must now assert its position firmly and revive the stalled and prolonged efforts to resolve the situation in eSwatini,’ the forum said. Speaking to the Daily Maverick, MSF spokesperson Sivumelwano Nyembe said the forum viewed the implementation of a ‘national dialogue to be of urgency’. The MSF has, for years, called for an ‘internationally mediated dialogue’ with the primary aim of reforming the current political system in the country and ushering in a new Constitution that guarantees multi-party democracy. After the kingdom was wracked by unprecedented violent protests in June 2021, then chair of SADC’s security organ, President Cyril Ramaphosa, met King Mswati III and persuaded him to institute a national dialogue on democratic reform. However, efforts to institute a genuine, inclusive national dialogue have so far been futile.

Full Daily Maverick report

Civil society from the DRC appealed to SADC leaders to call on all parties to the conflict in North Kivu to respect the ceasefire, international treaties, and an indefinite humanitarian truce. Additionally, they want SADC to encourage President Felix Tshisekedi to engage all parties in the crisis and seek a political settlement. News24 reports that increased violence in Ituri, South Kivu and North Kivu since 2022 has resulted in starvation, mass displacement and crimes, including gender-based and sexual violence. This unrest puts regional stability in jeopardy, entangling neighbouring nations in the conflict and elevating the eastern DRC to one of the gravest humanitarian disasters on Earth. Julienne Lusenge, co-founder and president of Female Solidarity for Integrated Peace and Development, said the problems in the DRC directly affect SADC’s development so the bloc must act. ‘They don’t have to stand by and watch the dehumanisation of an entire people and the plundering of a member country’s resources, which directly affects SADC’s standing. For there can be no development without peace,’ Lusenge said. Despite Tshisekedi refusing to negotiate with Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, the Luanda Peace Process led by Angola two weeks ago brought Ministers from Rwanda and the DRC for talks.

Ahead of the summit, UN-appointed experts urged Zimbabwe to release three rights activists they said had been tortured in detention. They identified them as rights activist Namatai Kwekweza, teachers’ union leader Robson Chere and Samuel Gwenzi, a former Harare municipal councillor. News24 reports that they were arrested on 31 July for demonstrating in support of jailed opposition leader Jameson Timba and other activists. ‘The three were reportedly subjected to enforced disappearance, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including waterboarding’, the statement said. They were afterwards handed over to police who informed them for the first time of the reason for their arrest: alleged ‘disorderly conduct’ during a demonstration in July for Timba’s release. A Daily Maverick analysis notes that the ruling Zanu-PF has forcefully cracked down on its political opponents over the past few weeks, arresting, detaining and, in some cases, allegedly torturing about 165 of them, precisely out of fear that they would embarrass President Emmerson Mnangagwa by demonstrating against him at the summit. Opposition stalwart David Coltart, the mayor of Bulawayo, called the crackdown ‘preventative detention’, predicting the oppositionists would be released after the summit. Preventative detention is clearly also what happened in another SADC member state, Tanzania, last week. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party suppressed opposition demonstrations, and hundreds of members of the main opposition Chadema party were detained to prevent them from holding a rally in Mbeya to celebrate International Youth Day on 12 August. They were released a day later.

By Peter Dube

Bulawayo mayor David Coltart has called on the police to intensify patrols and help to end illegal mining activities along rivers that feed into city’s supply dams.

Coltart told Southern Eye yesterday that Bulawayo City Council had deployed municipal police which had its own limitations.

He said illegal mining was causing siltation of rivers which reduces their capacity to feed into the supply dams.

“We need concerted effort by the police and possibly even the army to end illegal gold panning in our river systems,” Coltart said.

“As the rainy season is coming, I’m afraid, since the illegal miners have dug trenches, the first rains are unlikely to reach the Mzingwane catchment area. They will first have to fill up those trenches, hence we are facing difficult times as the people of Bulawayo.”

Coltart said water supply in Bulawayo would worsen if the situation remained the same, given that little rainfall was received in the last rainy season.

“The issue of illegal gold panning around river systems is a serious threat. If we receive low rainfall like last season, it is likely that our catchment areas are likely not going to receive any rain as it will be lost in those trenches dug by miners,” he said.

Coltart said the illegal mining activities around the Bulawayo river systems should be taken seriously as the rivers were responsible for supplying water to citizens.

“Now we are facing a challenge as we received low rain last season. We should now begin to prepare for the rainy season so that when it comes, we will be able to capture the rains.

“So if we are able to end illegal mining, we are likely to save our rivers from running dry, hence improving the water situation which we have been facing,” he said.

Published on Pindula News

Bulawayo mayor, David Coltart, said that there is low morale among the city’s councillors, stating that they are poorly paid, forcing them to rely on allowances to make ends meet.

During the “In Conversation with Trevor” series held in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Coltart revealed that the councillors are compelled to take on at least two jobs to survive, given the inadequate compensation they receive for their municipal duties. He said (via NewsDay):

“I get paid an allowance of US$47 a month as mayor and councillors are paid even less, so there is very low morale among councillors. Councillors are constantly finding ways of supplementing.

We spend far too much time on workshops and we do the practical day-to-day business that needs to be done, because, without workshops, councillors can’t survive.

The major problem is the change from executive to ceremonial mayors. It means that mayors and councillors need to have at least two jobs and definitely, they need a job outside of being mayors and they balance the income.”

Coltart urged the government to consider adopting a model similar to South Africa, where mayors hold executive powers rather than serving in a purely ceremonial role. He said:

“If they are like the citizens of South Africa, whose full-time job is running the city and it reflects globally, that’s something that the government needs to look at.

If I could admit that if I committed 24 hours to this job, there is no doubt that we could achieve a lot more, you can’t just work in an executive power with limited powers.”

Earlier this year, in January, Coltart revealed that his monthly income amounted to only US$25.

This disclosure came after some opposition activists had demanded that he resign after the Citizens’ Coalition for Change party had been hijacked by Sengezo Tshabangu.

Coltart said that his decision not to step down was not motivated by personal greed, but rather by his commitment to serve the residents of Bulawayo.

Published on Bulawayo24

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is facing significant challenges in accounting for almost 50% of the water it pumps from supply dams to consumers. This issue is primarily due to dilapidated infrastructure, theft of water supply equipment, and a poor water metering system. The aging pipes are prone to leaks and bursts, leading to substantial water loss before reaching consumers. Theft of essential equipment and inadequate water metering further exacerbate the problem.

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart highlighted that 48% of the city’s pumped water is classified as non-revenue water, lost through leakages or siphoning. BCC’s director of engineering and sanitation, Engineer Sikhumbuzo Ncube, noted that addressing the issue requires significant capital investment due to the aging pipe network. In 2012, over 60% of the network was already over 40 years old, and very little has been invested in repairs and replacements since then.

The city’s 2012 water and wastewater master plan estimates that US$465 million is needed to systematically replace and upgrade old water pipes, but only US$25 million has been invested so far. Despite limited resources, BCC has received support from non-governmental organizations and the government. Annual allocations between US$150,000 and US$200,000 have been provided for targeted replacements of water meters and pipes. The government has pledged US$14 million to mitigate water issues, with US$2.8 million already released for water pumps at Umzingwane and Inyankuni pump stations.

A recent water situation update report by the Bulawayo water technical committee, headed by Engineer Annatoria Chinyama, identified a US$2.3 million non-revenue water reduction action plan for implementation before year-end. The city is also procuring leak repair materials and plans to rehabilitate and upgrade the Insiza and Mtshabezi pipelines.

Bulawayo is currently on a strict 120-hour water-shedding schedule to conserve the limited available water. The city has 412 community boreholes, with 43 non-functional. UNICEF and other partners have been involved in rehabilitating boreholes to improve water access. Vandalism of equipment at the Nyamandlovu aquifer has reduced the city’s daily water supply to 8.27 megalitres, against a minimum target of 16 megalitres.

Published on The Zimbabwe Mail

BULAWAYO, – Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has issued an urgent plea for $14 million to upgrade the Mtshabezi and Insiza pipelines amid a worsening water crisis. During a visit to the Umzingwane Dam and Ncema pump stations, Coltart described the situation as catastrophic.

Umzingwane Dam is nearly dry, holding only 2% of its capacity, and has been decommissioned. Inyankuni Dam, currently at 22% capacity, is at risk of a similar fate without significant rainfall.

Coltart highlighted the critical need to upgrade the pipelines from Insiza and Mtshabezi dams, which are 43% and 53% full, respectively. However, deficiencies in these pipelines are preventing adequate water supply to the city.

Residents are enduring extended periods without water, and the government has not yet declared a water crisis, which would enable external financial support.

Coltart warned of an impending disaster if immediate action is not taken, pointing out that outdated water purification systems and pumps at Ncema are operating at only 35% capacity and urgently need upgrades.

The mayor’s call for funds and immediate intervention underscores the dire situation facing Bulawayo and the necessity for swift governmental and international aid to address the water crisis.

By William Vundla and Peter Dube

Bulawayo mayor David Coltart has applauded Khaya Arts Productions for taking part in clean-up and anti-drug abuse awareness campaigns held at the Tshabalala Open Arena on Friday.

The campaigns dubbed Bukeka Bulawayo were held under the theme, A Clean mind, A Clean Environment and Healthy Body.

The event kick-started with residents cleaning the area before live performances from Khaya Arts Productions members.

In a speech read on his behalf by ward 11 councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo, Coltart said it was everyone’s duty to ensure the environment was clean.

”Cleanliness is next to godliness and it inspires a sense of pride and ownership in our city. It is the duty of each and every one of us to instil this mindset in every resident of Bulawayo, young and old,” Coltart said.

“Our environment is our home, it is where we live, work and play. A clean environment is not just a matter of aesthetics, it is a matter of health and safety. By keeping our streets and public spaces clean, we reduce the spread of diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea, improve air quality and create a more pleasant and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. “

The event was graced by representatives from Kingdom Blue, Tshabalala Residents Association, Environmental Management Agency and Ingutsheni Hospital.

 Khaya Arts Productions director, Future Dube said the purpose of the event was to encourage residents of the City of Bulawayo to uphold the habit of cleanliness.

Other performers at the event included Macala and his dancers, Ras Taken, Khami Prison Group, Ezamachazment, Lucy the Poet and King Addiza.

By Peter Dube

BULAWAYO city’s road works have been hampered by a shortage of United States dollars as contractors are demanding to be paid in forex, mayor David Coltart has claimed.

Coltart told Southern Eye in an interview that council is struggling to procure road maintenance materials due to funding constraints.

“Though there is an issue of suppliers demanding payment in US dollars, funding for road works remains a challenge to bring the city’s road network to a fair condition,” he said.

The mayor said funding for road works came from vehicle parking management proceeds, but this was not enough to fix the city’s bad roads.

“For Zinara [Zimbabwe National Road Administration]-funded projects where disbursements are in local currency, council is left with no option, but to approach the second best contractors or even re-do procurement. This results in delays in the utilisation of Zinara funds,” Coltart said

“Council has tried other strategies which include adopting a road policy, but there are no takers, which is attributed to the cost involved.

“Road maintenance is expensive as it costs approximately US$500 000 to construct one kilometre of a single carriageway that is nine metres wide.”

Bulawayo’s road network continues to deteriorate due to ageing and lack of timely maintenance owing to resource constraints.

A number of Bulawayo roads have remained in bad shape despite the government launching the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Project (ERRP) in 2021.

ERRP was launched after President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the country’s roads a national disaster.

At least 65 major roads across Bulawayo are earmarked for rehabilitation under the ERRP2 at an approximate cost of US$625 million.

BCC is on record saying 70% of its road network has outlived its lifespan, hence council requires about US$700 million to fix the roads.

Published on The Chronicle

BCC in partnership with Enock Construction and Earth Moving Equipment last Friday commissioned 115 fully serviced stands in Mahatshula East suburb as part of phase two of the project. 

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) in partnership with Enock Construction and Earth Moving Equipment last Friday commissioned 115 fully serviced stands as part of the phase two Mahatshula East housing project aimed at alleviating the city’s housing backlog.

The commissioning of stands marks a significant milestone in addressing the housing needs of the community and enhancing sustainable urban development in the region.

Speaking at the commissioning event, city mayor, Councillor David Coltart said the partnership between BCC and Enock Construction and Earth Moving Equipment has delivered quality housing solutions to the residents.

“We are always happy when we partner with private developers to commission the stands as they are a testament that the city’s initiative of public private partnerships in housing development is yielding good results,” he said.

“The Mahatshula East stands are being serviced under an arrangement and we were here last year for the commissioning of the first phase.” Clr Coltart said the first phase of 100 stands and 255 stands have been commissioned.

“It is our hope in the near future that we will be together as we commission the third and fourth phases of the 670 residential stands for Mahatshula East suburb in partnership with Enock Construction and Equipment Hire Pvt Ltd,” he said.

Clr Coltart said the city’s vision was to provide quality housing to its citizens as it strives to contribute to the quality of life of the residents and ensure satisfaction with the place of living.

“It’s because of this vision that we are focused on ensuring that in the provision of housing, we provide stands that are fully serviced with water, sewerage, roads and public lighting,” he said.

“In our quest for housing development and in light of the effects of climate change, we are now exploring new technologies that will increase the level of sustainability in the future of our housing projects.

“In projects such as these, we should make a deliberate effort to plant trees and green the areas to try and replace the ones that we destroyed in this process and even when you are now constructing your houses and becoming Mahatshula East residents, may I urge you to focus on greening the areas,” Clr Coltart said.

He said key to the city’s green initiative is the use of design solutions and innovative technologies that not only maintain the aesthetics of housing design but also balance with sustainability.

Clr Coltart said the focus is to now develop green building norms and regulations that guarantee sustainability of housing throughout its life cycle from design to construction and operation.

“In this ,we urge you to partner with us as residents in combining conventional architecture and innovative technologies to obtain an optimal balance and ensure sustainable housing for the City of Bulawayo,” he said.
“In our mandate for housing development, we have to provide 3 000 units per year, which is not an easy feat in light of the harsh economic environment.

“The city strives to meet this target, which is a drop in the ocean, taking into consideration the ever ballooning housing waiting list, which stands at over 125 000.”

While the focus of the local authority and Government alike has been to provide support for low income housing, there is a need to have the necessary financial incentives to provide these, said Clr Coltart.

He said Bulawayo in the past has tried this through loans with sub market rates, however the unavailability of these poses a challenge.

“Despite these challenges, the City of Bulawayo notes that housing provision shows economic development and a reduction in poverty hence the need to try and match housing demand and housing delivery.

“While housing purchases are costly for individuals, they become the most valuable asset owned and also require housing financing for purchase and construction,” said Clr Coltart.

He said housing provision and the financial sector have a symbiotic relationship, which contributes to economic growth and also helps the financial sector grow.

“We need to develop sustainable housing for sustainable cities through the design of sustainable housing policies and practical actions. Our policies for the future of Bulawayo are focused on a holistic approach that recognises that housing is both physical and socio-cultural,” said Clr Coltart.

On how the local authority is dealing with the ballooning housing waiting list, BCC corporate communications manager, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said all residents registered in the housing waiting list can benefit from stand projects provided they meet the sale conditions of the development partner.

“We have engaged many development partners to help council expedite stands provision,” said Mrs Mpofu. She said in the case of the Mahatshula East stands, applicants are advised to approach the development partners’ offices, Enock Construction and Earth Moving Equipment, regarding stand prices and the sizes on offer.

“Generally, this is a Medium density housing area with stand sizes averaging 600m2,” she said. The 115 serviced stands in phase two of the Mahatshula East Housing Project have been designed to meet modern living standards while promoting a sense of community and belonging, among the residents.

Each stand is equipped with essential services such as water, electricity and road access, providing a conducive environment for residential development.

By Tinei Tuhwe

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has spoken out against the treatment of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s ex-wife Marry Mubaiwa, describing her plight as “a personal tragedy” and “a national disgrace.”

In a scathing X post, Coltart blamed the judiciary for denying Mubaiwa foreign medical treatment, despite her local doctors’ recommendations.

“Marry Mubaiwa’s plight is a personal tragedy but in addition a national disgrace.

“Our judiciary is particularly to blame.

“Let us never forget that Ms Mubaiwa’s medical condition was resolvable had she been allowed foreign medical treatment which her local doctors told the courts was necessary.

“Our courts’ refusal to show basic mercy and grant bail in the interests of justice remains a dark stain on our entire judiciary,” he said

Mubaiwa has undergone a life-altering surgery, having her leg amputated due to gangrene, a complication of her underlying condition. Her right arm was amputated in September 2022.

Her condition, acute lymphoedema, has led to severe abscesses and open wounds on her arms and legs and despite her critical condition, the courts have repeatedly denied her request to seek medical treatment abroad, citing her ongoing trial for attempted murder and other charges.

Mubaiwa remains hospitalized at a private facility in the capital, sparking widespread debate and outrage over the handling of her case.

Coltart emphasized the importance of justice, citing the Bible and history as examples of the consequences of disregarding justice.

“The cross – upon which Jesus was crucified- is a constant reminder of one of the Lord’s most important characteristics: His desire for justice.

“If we treat this with disdain, if we don’t fear God by being dismissive about His desire for justice in all facets of life, we open ourselves to His wrath.

“This applies to all of us as individuals but it also applies to Nations.

“Both the Bible and history are replete with countless examples of how the Lord not only desires justice but also obtains justice in His time and using His methods.

“So Ms Mubaiwa’s plight may seem of no relevance to us.

“But we ignore this shocking example of injustice at our own peril.”