By Newsday 

OVER the years, the nation has been promised that Bulawayo will undergo massive re-industrialisation.

In that regard, nothing has moved.

Over a decade or so ago, efforts were supposedly made to resuscitate Bulawayo industries through the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund, which was disbursed starting from 2011, but the fund did not have a significant impact.

Before that, government launched the US$70 million Zimbabwe Economic and Trade Revival Facility, which did little to change the fortunes of second largest city of the country.

In fact, companies in Zimbabwe’s once industrial hub have been either closing shop, retrenching or moving to other places away from the city, especially settling in the capital city, further worsening Bulawayo’s economic performance.

Often referred to as the country’s industrial hub, the city’s current economic and industrial performance no longer portray such a picture.

Many of the factories have been turned into worship centres.

Promises to revive Bulawayo industries have been nothing short of a pie in sky.

On June 1, the city turned 130 years after being declared a town on June 1, 1894.

For what once was a heavy industrial site, life has been snuffed out and the informal sector has taken over.

The industrial site now represents a ghost town.

But considering economies of scale, an informal sector contributes far less than a formal one.

The economy of the city has diminished to unacceptable levels over the past two decades.

Claims have been made that Bulawayo is not alone in this predicament since other cities across the country are also facing similar challenges.

But authorities are losing sight of the fact that Bulawayo was heavily industrialised, hence was bound to suffer more.

Speaking in April this year while welcoming visitors and exhibitors at the 64th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, the city’s mayor David Coltart said: “One of the reasons why the ZITF was established in Bulawayo was due to the fact that it was Zimbabwe’s industrial capital and the industrial hub of southern African and our vision is to restore that status.

“We have a massive task ahead of us and we are pleased that you have come to the ZITF and it is our hope that by coming, you will see the city’s potential.”

We believe it’s not too late to return the city to its industrial hub status for as long as the leadership has the resolve to do.

Published on CAJ News

The mayor of Zimbabwe’s second largest city – Bulawayo, David Coltart has warned the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) followers not to make the country unattractive investment destination by overzealously calling for president Emmerson Mnangagwa to go for the ‘unconstitutional’ third term in office.

ZANU-PF Masvingo province is advocating for Mnangagwa to go for the third term when his second and final term in office expires in 2028.

Coltart reminded the overexcited ZANU-PF elite that the country’s constitution should not be tempered in order to satisfy interests of individual leaders at the expense of the nation.

“The two term presidential limit in the Zimbabwe Constitution was overwhelmingly agreed to by millions of Zimbabweans in 2013 and passed in a referendum which was voted on by over 80% of the electorate. It is supplemented by another clause in the Constitution which states that no incumbent can benefit from a constitutional amendment,” Coltart said.

He added: “These clauses (of the constitution) were debated right across Zimbabwe and are the result of a deeply held belief that Presidents should not remain in office too long. It is reinforced by the fact that in its 44 year old history Zimbabwe has only had two Presidents and that is one of the key reasons why our Nation has performed well below its true potential.”

Coltart said it was sad that the country’s first President Robert Mugabe remained in office too long until he “was old” and “decrepit”, a development he claimed caused some leaders within the ruling ZANU-PF to remove him unconstitutionally through a coup.

“Coups cast Nations in a very poor light internationally. Had Mugabe gone early and made way for younger blood we would never have had (not encountered) this setback,” he said.

Coltart said any move to amend these clauses to suit interests of an individual would not only be a grave violation of the country’s constitution, but condemn Zimbabwe into a “banana republic” and “an unsafe investment destination.”

“It doesn’t matter how this debate is camouflaged – it is wrong, dangerous and all patriots need to speak out against it (third term in office.) We should rather now be concentrating on what policies we need as a Nation to deliver clean water to citizens, ensure a safe, healthy environment, rapidly expand foreign investment and create millions of jobs,” Coltart said.

Ilos Nyoni concurred with the opposition mayor saying: “It is indeed vital that the constitution is observed and respected as it was a product of consultation and approval by the majority of the people. Amendments that are designed to suit desires of one individual are unacceptable.”

By Silas Nkala

Bulawayo is determined to revive its industry and restore its status as Zimbabwe’s industrial hub, the city’s mayor David Coltart has said.

Welcoming, on Tuesday, visitors and exhibitors at the 64th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Coltart said: “One of the reasons why the ZITF was established in Bulawayo was due to the fact that it was Zimbabwe’s industrial capital and the industrial hub of southern African and our vision is to restore that status.

“We have a massive task ahead of us and we are pleased that you have come to the ZITF and it is our hope that by coming you will see the city’s potential.”

This year’s exhibition is running under the theme: Innovation the Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade. It will be officially opened by Kenyan President William Ruto.

Coltart called on visitors to Zimbabwe’s second largest city to understand its history, people, culture and arts.

He said the authorities in the city understood that attracting investors depended on certain prerequisites being met which included reliable water supplies.

“As we are all aware, due to climate change and the El Niño effect, the City of Bulawayo and the entire southern Africa region are facing one of the worst droughts ever.

“We face a major challenge in water delivery. Our first priority in the coming years is to expand our water resources. We are looking at the construction of a new water supply dam and other augmentation projects that will allow us to guarantee our residents, stakeholders and investors adequate water supplies,” he said.

Coltart indicated that the city was also looking into ensuring cleanliness and sanitation.

“Unfortunately, in the last few years, our city has lost its status of being one of the cleanest cities in Africa. Our vision is to restore the status and we are working towards rehabilitating our sewerage works and we are also looking at a waste management facility that can tackle the litter that degrades Bulawayo,” he said.

“We are working on informal markets located in the periphery of the city centre. We have started with Egodini informal trading market and we are expanding to other centers around the periphery of the city into suburban areas, with the anticipation that it will give hope to the informal sector and enable the formal sector to also flourish.”

Published on Report Focus News

As Zimbabwe anticipates the introduction of a new structured currency, economists caution that while it may diversify saving avenues for citizens, it may not sufficiently tackle the nation’s hyperinflation crisis. The crux of the issue lies in governmental manipulation of financial mechanisms. Scheduled for unveiling this Friday alongside the 2024 Monetary Policy Statement by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, John Mushayavanhu, the proposed structured currency faces skepticism from economic experts.

Stevenson Dhlamini, an economist and lecturer at Bulawayo’s National University of Science and Technology, underscores the pivotal role of confidence in currency success. Dhlamini notes a lack of positive confidence in Zimbabwe’s financial sector among citizens, indicating a potential hurdle for the new currency’s acceptance. However, he acknowledges the stability exhibited by existing structured alternative financial assets like gold coins and Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), suggesting a possibility of similar reception for the structured currency.

Dhlamini emphasizes that the ultimate impact of the structured currency remains uncertain until operational details are disclosed. He highlights its dual function as a medium of exchange and an asset, which could broaden saving options for ordinary citizens, provided it’s implemented transparently and with clear accountability measures.

Echoing concerns, economist Future Msebele warns against potential manipulation of the new currency by “saboteurs,” casting doubt on its effectiveness. Msebele advocates for full dollarization to stabilize the capital market, aiming to mitigate capital outflows and balance of payments crises.

Criticism extends to the coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, with calls for coherence and alignment between the two spheres. Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart underscores the paramount importance of rebuilding public trust in regulatory institutions for any currency reform to succeed, emphasizing transparency and professionalism as indispensable pillars.

In essence, while the structured currency proposal offers hope for economic stabilization, economists stress the imperative of addressing underlying issues of trust and policy coherence for lasting solutions to Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation woes.

By Jerssie Mpofu

ILLEGAL night vendors have been accused of littering streets in the Bulawayo central business district (CBD) with associations representing registered informal traders calling on law enforcement agencies to take action.

Bulawayo has recorded an increase in night-time informal trading, especially in the CBD where vendors are operating from street pavements.

Zanu PF activists have been accused of allocating illegal vending bays in the CBD and collecting fees from the vendors.

The council has been complaining that it is receiving little in revenues from vendors in licensing fees as many were operating illegally.

Municipal police have been seen confiscating wares from the illegal vendors with some confrontations turning into violent running battles.

This publication gathered that some vendors now preferred to operate after hours and illegally when municipal police would have knocked off.

Bulawayo Streetwise Informal Traders Association director Percy Mcijo said his organisation was against all sorts of illegal vending, day or night.

 “We are having a situation where vendors are avoiding following the bylaws and we urge the council to take action and arrest these people,” Mcijo said.

Mcijo said their investigations showed that the majority of night vendors were not registered.

“Vendors, who are registered with any association, don’t operate during the night,” he said.

“We don’t encourage night vending as we would not know what would be sold as a majority of vendors now sell drugs.

“We urge citizens to be law abiding, follow the set bylaws, be formal in their operations and subscribe to the set regulations.”

Mcijo encouraged night vendors to register and operate within the bylaws.

Ward 1 councillor Josiah Mutangi said city fathers were against any form of night vending.

“Council is aware of the night vendors, publicity and engagements are being done to resolve this coupled with security operations to clear the illegal vendors,” Mutangi said.

“Night vending is indeed illegal and we urge citizens to stop the practice and abide by the set bylaws.

“We seek to bring an end to illegal vending and provide vending bays for fruit and vegetables, new and used clothing in various points in and around the CBD at the convenience of the citizens  and ensuring that we decongest the city and enhance cleanliness of our CBD.”

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said they were not aware of the illegal night vendors

“Police are not aware of night vendors that are taking pavement places throughout the central business district and I would not be able to comment on an issue that I don’t know,” Ncube said.

Recently, the council faced resistance in its attempts to force vendors to vacate the streets and operate from the recently opened Egodini bus terminus.

The city’s pavements and streets have been taken over by an influx of vendors, some of them  coming all the way from Harare.

City fathers have complained that the city is now one of the dirtiest as a result because of littering mainly by the illegal vendors.

Bulawayo mayor David Coltart recently led a clean-up campaign in the city, expressing concerns over littering by illegal vendors.

However, months after he came in, the vendors have remained in the city and their numbers have even swollen.

Coltart was unreachable for comment on Friday.

Published on Bulawayo24 News

Government has pledged to assist Bulawayo City Council (BCC) ease the city’s unrelenting acute water shortages.

Late last month, government gave BCC ZWL$7 billion to push such water projects as the Glass Block Dam and Nyamandlovu aquifer, some of the sources of raw water for the city.

Addressing journalists in Bulawayo this week, Local Government minister Winston Chitando said government was fully committed to addressing Bulawayo’s water crisis.

“There was a disbursement of ZWL$ 6,9 billion at the end of February for the City of Bulawayo as part of devolution funds. Some of that money is required in local currency and some of it in foreign currency depending on the nature of what the local authority projects to be implemented,” he said.

“For example, if they want to buy cement they will use that local currency, but if they want to purchase inputs from outside the country they will now need to go to the foreign exchange mechanism to get money through the central bank. We are going to have a regular conduct to see how we as a ministry of governance can then play that interface role with the Finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to ensure we have critical situations like we have here whereby we try to facilitate [on] foreign currency.”

Chitando added that government will ensure that there is a short term solution to the water situation in Bulawayo.

“The short term measure to address the water situation in Bulawayo, firstly is the security arrangements at Nyamandlovu that will be implemented. There is need to source for the US$14m required and BCC has a number of partners to participate in funding the project-we will assist the city to get foreign currency to address the water situation in the short term period,” said Chitando.

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart confirmed that the local authority received the money, but is facing challenges in securing foreign currency.

“That money is already in the council’s accounts. The problem is that it is in local currency, we have gone out to contract private companies for some of the work which needs to be done, for example, the rehabilitation of Umzingwane and Inyankuni pump stations,” he said.

“We don’t manufacture these large pumps in the country, hence need to be imported. The companies demand payment in foreign currency, that is the problem.”

Published on The Zimbabwe Mail

BULAWAYO – Bulawayo mayor David Coltart said there was now a “broad consensus” to solve the city’s perennial water problems after a meeting with water minister Anxious Masuka on Wednesday.

Coltart has been pushing the government to declare Bulawayo a water disaster area, a step which would free the city to approach donors to fund its short-term plans to keep the taps running.

“There is a broad consensus now regarding the short, medium and long term solutions to the crisis. We now need to jointly mobilise the resources needed to address the problem,” Coltart said after the meeting in Bulawayo, also attended by provincial minister Judith Ncube.

“Regarding our expressed wish that Bulawayo be declared a water shortage area, the minister has directed the technical committee to urgently report on current water holdings at Insiza, Inyankuni and Mtshabezi dams and the current ability to deliver that water to the city which will determine any decision regarding the declaration prayed for.”

Coltart maintains that the city’s water supply dams, although they got little inflows during this rainy season, hold enough water to quench the city’s thirst. Bulawayo residents currently get council water for two days in a week.

The mayor’s plan is to repair boreholes at the Nyamandlovu Aquifer, whose water is pumped to Magwegwe reservoir and to the rest of the high-density suburbs. He also wants a 2.5km pipeline from Mtshabezi Dam, which is 70 percent full, to Umzingwane pump station which would significantly increase the flow of water to the city of 650,000 people.

Coltart says the council, which is too broke to upgrade its water infrastructure, needs about US$14 million for the short-term projects.

A medium to long term solution to make the city water secure is the construction of the Glass Block Dam which was surveyed in 1988 on Umzingwane River near Glass Block 2 Primary School in Insiza, according to Coltart. This development will be coupled with upgrading the pipeline from Ncema Dam, the refurbishment and expansion of the dam and a further expansion of the Thuli reservoir from which most of the city’s eastern suburbs draw water. Council engineers say this will cost a further US$150 million.

The government, meanwhile, has missed several deadlines to complete the Gwayi Shangani Dam in Matabeleland North. Ministers hail the project as a game changer for Bulawayo, but city councillors fear it could be years before the local authority can draw water from the giant dam.

On Monday, Coltart and Ncube met with the European Union ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst von Kirchmann about the water crisis.

Coltart said: “One thing that emerged in the meeting was that the EU ambassador said they have emergency funds available for water, but it is not allowed to disburse those funds until the government declares the city as a water shortage area and this is an illustration of how it is critically important that the declaration by government be made.

“I have no doubt that Minister Ncube and myself working together we can communicate that the government as a matter of urgency makes that declaration.”

Writing on X, Kirchmann said: “In my meeting with the mayor of Bulawayo, I was deeply concerned to learn about the severe water shortage gripping Bulawayo. The outlook for the City of Kings seems to be alarming.”

Even as he warns about the dire situation, Coltart has urged residents not to panic.

“We are clear that there is a water crisis but it is also important that we don’t depress people or make them panic. There is a strategy to take us through this winter and the next summer, it very important that the general public understands,” he said.

By Innocent Magondo 

Bulawayo mayor David Coltart has said he will stay put in office and will not resign from the Citizens Coalition for Change despite the recent resignation of the opposition party’s leader Nelson Chamisa.

Chamisa announced his resignation as CCC president in a statement on January 25 this year with some CCC legislators subsequently resigning from Parliament.

However, in a statement posted on social platform X, Coltart said he had consulted various stakeholders who advised him to stay in office.

“The overwhelming response, particularly from the Bulawayo public, has been to remain in office. I have also been written to by people I deeply respect.

“Some of whom have been involved in the struggle to bring democracy and freedom to Zimbabwe for over 6 decades, asking me not to resign.

“These are people who have fought consistently during their entire lives for freedom and I take their views seriously,” Coltart said.

He said he would see through his five-year tenure as the mayor of Bulawayo.

“I am conscious that I can be recalled at any time but so be it. I would rather be removed from office by unscrupulous politicians than betray the trust and goodwill of innocent, hardworking and principled residents of Bulawayo by resigning,” he said.

Coltart said resigning as mayor would be disastrous for the city as he was in the middle of initiatives for the city’s development.

“Bulawayo faces unique challenges at the present time. Aside from being in a disastrous state after decades of neglect, it is running out of water and faces severe water shortages this coming year.

“While of course there is little that I as one person can do to remedy this, I have been involved in critically important initiatives during the last few months to provide short, medium and long term solutions to the crisis.

“If I were to resign now some of these initiatives may be undermined to the detriment of the city as a whole. While the resignation of any MP is of course tragic, and a great loss to debate in Parliament, it does not have the same direct impact on citizens as would be the resignation of the mayor of a city.”

He also revealed that Chamisa had told him about his intentions to resign.

“I asked him what his expectations were of me. His response was that I should keep on the work I have been doing. At no point has he asked me to resign,” Coltart said.

Published on The Zimbabwe Mail

Bulawayo mayor David Coltart said Monday that a decision on his political future is imminent, but stressed that it will be influenced by “those I am directly responsible to.”

Coltart, like other Citizens Coalition for Change MPs and councillors, is under pressure to quit in solidarity with Nelson Chamisa, who resigned as leader last week after declaring that the party has been “contaminated, bastardised and hijacked.”

Fadzayi Mahere resigned as MP for Mt Pleasant on Monday and said she had ceased to be a CCC member, but party insiders say there is no stampede to leave just yet.

Coltart said: “I am still consulting a broad cross range of those who elected me, the residents of the great city of Bulawayo, trusted advisors, the elders of my church and of course my family.

“I will issue a clear statement regarding my intentions before next week. In essence, my focus is on those I am directly responsible to.”

Coltart has won plaudits with his development-oriented manifesto for the city after being elected mayor in September last year. Many Bulawayo residents have taken to social media to urge him to stay as they warn that him leaving City Hall could open the door to the ruling Zanu-PF party to either impose a commission to run the city’s affairs, or a Zanu-PF councillor might take over.

CCC controls most urban councils in the country, including the major cities of Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare, and mass resignations could leave Zanu-PF in charge – a proposition many are failing to accept.

Remaining in CCC also means elected councillors and MPs remain at the mercy of Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-styled CCC interim secretary general who has withdrawn more than two dozen lawmakers from parliament, one of the key developments that forced Chamisa’s exit.

Senior CCC figures have reportedly opened discussions with Tshabangu to hand over control of the party leading up to a congress. The party, meanwhile, is set to name an interim leader to replace Chamisa at a meeting of its national standing committee on Tuesday.

Chamisa, meanwhile, is mulling forming a new political movement. Some CCC MPs and councillors say they will wait for him to announce his plans before making decisions on whether to quit their positions or stay with CCC at least for the next four years leading to elections in 2028.

By Senzeni Ncube

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart urged residents at a Ward 22 feedback meeting to take proactive steps to prevent flooding during the rainy season.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining clean premises and clearing drainage systems.

A resident representative named Mr Masuku revealed that a section of the ward faces drainage issues, particularly during the rainy season. “Water flows directly into houses due to the lack of a drainage system,” Masuku explained. He added that despite informing previous councillors, no assistance was received.

However, Masuku mentioned being told the affected houses are not officially recognised on the council plan. “They claim the drains are also unknown because the houses aren’t on the plan, yet they expect residents to pay rates,” he said.

Another resident, Rabson Mpofu from Nketa 6, expressed concern about some residents failing to open weep holes in precast walls, hindering water flow and causing flooding. “We try to engage those residents, but they don’t cooperate,” Mpofu lamented.

Ward 22 Councillor Mmeli Moyo acknowledged the flooding issues caused by poor drainage. He explained that due to the ward’s recent expansion, the existing community employees are insufficient to clear all the necessary drains.

“We managed to complete around 75% of trench clearing, focusing on main roads, schools, and shopping centres, but unfortunately, the contract ended before reaching individual households,” Moyo elaborated.

Mayor Coltart emphasized the city-wide nature of the drainage problem and stressed the need for a community-driven approach, similar to anti-littering efforts. “Just like with dumping litter, if everyone keeps their surroundings clean, and young people organise to dig drains, we can make a difference,” Coltart asserted. “We might not be able to offer monetary compensation, but the spirit of community ubuntu and self-reliance is crucial.”

He assured residents that the local authority would provide machinery for the worst-affected areas.

Coltart reiterated the importance of individual responsibility. “Please focus on keeping your houses and their surroundings clean, and prioritize clearing your drains. Often, blocked drains due to plastic debris hinder proper water flow. Start within your own property, and together, we can overcome this challenge.”