Newsday

5th April 2025

CRICKET enthusiasts and music lovers in Bulawayo are up in arms with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) after the latter barred the use of Queens Sports Club for the ninth edition of the Pacific Bulawayo Shutdown, set for April 26, a popular event that blends live cricket with musical performances.

ZC has been accused of bowing to undue pressure from mayor David Coltart to take the unpopular decision.

The event, held annually at Queens Sports Club, has become a highlight for locals, combining sport and entertainment while drawing crowds from across the city.

However, this year, ZC refused to grant permission, citing unspecified concerns — a move that has sparked frustration among fans who argue the event has run smoothly for nearly a decade without incident. 

“No damage, no justification! For eight years, this event has taken place with no damage to the facility, no security issues and nothing but positive feedback from the community,” said Nathan Mlotshwa, an avid cricket and entertainment follower.

“Now, suddenly, ZC claims there are problems? It does not make sense.” 

Many believe the decision stems from political interference, pointing to Coltart’s alleged opposition to the event.

Sources close to the discussions suggest he raised concerns over noise levels, damage to the playing field and potential disruptions — a claim dismissed by organisers.

But Coltart commented: “ This is outrageous. Why have you allowed this? What is this going to do to this iconic ground?”

Thabani Moyo, a long-time attendee, said: “This is about more than just cricket or music — it’s about Bulawayo’s culture.

“This event brings people together. Why stop it now when there’s been no trouble before?” 

Beyond entertainment, the Pacific Bulawayo Shutdown has been a boon for local vendors, artistes and businesses.

With the latest move by ZC, many fear losing a key revenue stream.

“Artistes were booked, vendors were preparing — this decision hurts livelihoods,” local vendor Mandla Ndlovu said.

“ZC did not even engage with us properly. They just shut us down.” 

ZC has yet to provide a detailed explanation, only stating that the decision was made “in the best interests of the sport”.

But for Bulawayo’s fans, the move feels like another example of the city being sidelined in favour of Harare-centric decision-making.

“First, we lose Test matches, now this,” lamented cricket fan Gerald Sibanda.

“When will Bulawayo get a fair chance?” 

As tensions rise, organisers are exploring legal options, while supporters hope for a last-minute reversal.

For now, the shutdown of the Shutdown leaves a bitter taste in a city accustomed to fighting for its place in Zimbabwe’s sporting and cultural landscape.

2 Apr 2025 Bulawayo24 News

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) on Wednesday commissioned four new refuse  compactors as part of efforts to improve waste collection and maintain cleanliness in the city.

The new trucks bring the city’s total number of refuse compactors to 17, although officials say at least 30 are required to adequately service residential areas, industrial zones, businesses, and the city centre.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, BCC Director of Health Services Dr. Edwin Mzingwane emphasized the need for more refuse compactors to meet the growing demand for waste management services.

“To adequately service all areas in Bulawayo, we need at least 30 refuse compactors. The addition of these four trucks is a step forward, but there is still a gap that needs to be filled,” said Dr. Mzingwane.

To address the shortfall, BCC has engaged private waste collection companies to assist in refuse collection, particularly in the western suburbs and the city centre.

The local authority has been working to improve waste management amid challenges such as aging equipment and illegal dumping. The commissioning of the new refuse compactors is expected to enhance efficiency in keeping Bulawayo clean.

By Sharon Sibindi | Mar. 23, 2025 The Southern Eye

Bulawayo mayor David Coltart has expressed frustration over bureaucratic bottlenecks stalling the long-awaited Glassblock Dam project, a crucial initiative aimed at securing a stable water supply for the city.

The proposed dam to be built on the Umzingwane River will have a capacity of 130 million cubic metres of water.

It has been identified as a medium-term solution to the city’s water shortages that will also usher in rural industrialisation through irrigation.

The dam has become the city council’s top priority as part of a broader strategy to secure a reliable water supply for Bulawayo.

Coltart warned that without swift action from the central government, the project could face indefinite delays.

In an interview with Southern Eye on Sunday, Coltart revealed how red tape at the national level was slowing down investment efforts in Bulawayo.

“We have made significant progress in identifying contractors and even secured indications of support worth US$93 million at the African Investment Forum in Morocco last December,” Coltart said. 

“But we now seem to be bogged down by bureaucracy in Harare, with agreements that need to be signed still pending, and necessary approvals not yet granted.”

The estimated cost of constructing the Glassblock Bopoma Dam is US$100 million.

The project is running under a build, operate and transfer model for 25 years, and will have its concession issued by the government.

Government awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction contract to construction firm J R Goddard Contracting.

According to council, the dam is expected to increase water inflows to Bulawayo by 70%.

This will require a 32-kilometre pipeline to pump water from the dam to Ncema, whose pumping system also needs rehabilitation.

The Gwayi-Shangani dam project, which is seen as a long lasting solution and was mooted in 1912, is taking ages to complete.

During a meeting on March 7, 2024, with then Local Government minister, Winston Chitando, council indicated plans to complete construction of the Glassblock dam by 2027.

Coltart lamented that the broader investment climate in Zimbabwe remained unfavourable, frustrating development of Bulawayo.

“Fundamentally, the major problem is that we are located in Zimbabwe, where the investment climate is generally unfavourable,” he said.

“We are trying to make Bulawayo more attractive, but we have hurdles — ensuring a secure source of water, cleaning up our sewage plants, and restoring order in the city.”

Coltart also pointed to deteriorating road conditions and traffic congestion as ongoing challenges that need urgent attention. 

“Unless we get those fundamentals right, the city will remain an unattractive destination irrespective of the national climate,” he added.

Coltart also cited delays at the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe as another major obstacle, with some basic expenditure approvals taking over six months.

“These delays affect our ability to function efficiently,” he said.

“We can have revenues coming in, but if we can’t spend them due to bureaucratic bottlenecks, progress stalls.”

 16 March 2025 Bulawayo24news

Bulawayo City Council is struggling to progress on major projects aimed at improving infrastructure and addressing ongoing water challenges, as the Local Government Ministry has yet to approve the city’s 2025 budget.

The council’s proposed 2025 budget stands at US$53 million, a significant reduction from the initial US$309 million due to objections raised by various stakeholders, including residents and the business community. Despite the budget cut, most of the allocated funds will go towards addressing water reticulation and sanitation, social services, housing, and road infrastructure – areas critical for the city’s development.

With Bulawayo facing severe water shortages exacerbated by drought and depleted dam levels, water infrastructure has been identified as a key priority. However, without budget approval, progress on these crucial projects is at a standstill.

Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe recently stated that over 90% of other council budgets have already been approved, further highlighting the delay in Bulawayo’s case.

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart expressed frustration over the ongoing delay, emphasizing how it has hindered the city’s service delivery. “We appeal to the government to approve our budget so that we bring development within our city as delays have only led to deterioration of services,” Coltart said. “It is strange the central government has never given us any reasons why they have been delaying to approve our budget.”

The failure to secure budget approval has also impacted essential city services. Coltart revealed that the council is struggling to collect refuse and purchase necessary equipment due to a lack of funds, which has delayed the city’s development agenda.

The council’s initial US$309 million budget had to be revised, with concerns over the income-to-salary ratio. Government regulations stipulate that no more than 30% of the council’s income should be allocated to salaries, a guideline the initial budget did not comply with.

In response, the council is proposing the introduction of a special roads levy and a special water levy. Domestic properties would be required to pay US$1 per month for each levy, while commercial properties would pay US$10 per month.

The 2025 budget, themed “Consolidating Economic Transformation,” is in alignment with the government’s National Development Strategy I, which aims to position Zimbabwe as an upper-middle-income society by 2030. For Bulawayo, this vision focuses on sustainability, infrastructure renewal, and improving service delivery.

However, the city continues to grapple with urban decay, poor road infrastructure, and worsening social services, compounded by the ongoing water crisis with no immediate solutions in sight.

Minister Garwe has yet to respond to inquiries from Sunday Southern Eye regarding the reasons for the delay in approving the council’s budget. The delay continues to cast a shadow over Bulawayo’s development prospects, leaving residents and businesses alike frustrated with the lack of progress.

14 Mar 2025 Bulawayo24news

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has requested authorization to utilize part of its allocation from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) for the procurement of tools, plant, and equipment aimed at the rehabilitation and construction of roads.

The request is outlined in the council’s latest meeting minutes concerning the local authority’s road projects for the year 2025. According to the department of works, BCC was allocated a total of ZiG61,986,822 (approximately US$2.35 million) by Zinara for both periodic and routine maintenance works for the upcoming year.

The department has proposed to allocate 70% of this allocation, or ZiG43,390,775.40 (around US$1.64 million), towards periodic maintenance projects. These will include major works such as the overlaying of Matopos Road, one of the key infrastructural projects for the city.

The remaining 30%, equating to ZiG18,596,046.60 (around US$704,675.97), is to be earmarked for routine maintenance throughout the city. This will cover essential activities such as pothole patching, crack sealing, and slurry sealing to maintain the quality of the road network.

The allocation was calculated using the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) interbank exchange rate of US$1 to ZiG26.3895 as of February 5, 2025.

However, the minutes also indicated that the department plans to amend the initial 2025 Zinara-funded Road Works Implementation Plan, which was submitted earlier in the year. This decision follows a meeting on January 30, 2025, between Zinara CEO Nkosilathi Ncube, Bulawayo mayor David Coltart, and town clerk Christopher Dube.

The proposed amendments come as a result of delays in the procurement process and the rising cost of hiring plant and equipment from contractors. In response, the department proposed that the funds originally allocated for the rehabilitation of Matopos Road be redirected to procure plant, equipment, and tools for the city’s own use.

Instead of continuing to hire equipment or engage contractors for road works, BCC intends to purchase its own machinery. The expected savings from this shift in strategy would be redirected to acquire additional materials necessary for road repairs and construction.

The council’s decision to use in-house plant and equipment is expected to streamline the maintenance process, cut costs, and increase efficiency in road construction. BCC is seeking formal approval to utilize the 2025 Zinara allocation of ZiG61,986,822 (US$2.35 million) for the procurement of the necessary plant, equipment, tools, and materials for these vital road projects.

The outcome of this proposal will be closely watched, as successful implementation could pave the way for more self-sufficient and cost-effective management of Bulawayo’s road infrastructure.

09 Mar 2025 Bulawayo24news

Bulawayo councillors are advocating for the creation of an inter-departmental team to market the city to potential investors in the diaspora. The move comes as the city prepares to host its inaugural Bulawayo Economic Development Conference, aiming to drive economic transformation and foster sustainable growth.

During a full council meeting last Wednesday, the city’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, highlighted the untapped potential of Zimbabweans living abroad, many of whom have expressed interest in assisting with the city’s development. He noted that while there are many potential partners, there is no structured platform to engage the diaspora and attract investment.

“My plea to the city is that we accelerate marketing the city, not just locally, but also in the diaspora. There are many Zimbabweans living outside the country who are eager to assist by adopting our roads, street lighting, and buildings to ensure proper maintenance,” said Clr Ndlovu.

He proposed the formation of an inter-departmental committee tasked with reaching out to the diaspora and creating a platform for engagement. “There are many people interested in helping, but there is no platform in place for them,” he added.

Bulawayo, as one of Zimbabwe’s major industrial and commercial hubs, holds significant potential to contribute to national economic growth, job creation, and improved quality of life for residents. In a bid to strengthen this role, the city will host the Bulawayo Economic Development Conference from 9 to 11 April.

The conference is expected to serve as a critical platform for stakeholders to discuss innovative solutions, share best practices, and form partnerships aimed at fostering inclusive and sustainable economic development in the city. Participants from the government, business sector, academia, economic think tanks, and civil society will be involved in shaping strategies for Bulawayo’s growth.

“The conference aims to promote sustainable industrialization, focusing on environmentally friendly practices and transitioning to circular economy models. It will also address the development of smart, resilient infrastructure adaptable to climate change, alongside investment strategies for sustainable infrastructure,” said a city spokesperson.

As part of its broader economic development agenda, the city has identified several key areas for discussion during the conference, including sustainable industrial practices, climate-resilient infrastructure, and strategies for improving resource efficiency.

However, despite the city’s forward-thinking initiatives, councillors have voiced concerns about the slow pace of response from the local authority’s management. Mayor David Coltart expressed frustration over the casual handling of communication, particularly regarding expressions of interest from potential investors.

Clr Coltart, who has a strong working relationship with the city’s management, expressed his concern during the council meeting, noting that management’s delays in responding to queries were hindering progress. “We are in 2025, not 1980. Emails are the primary means of communication in the modern world and must be treated with the same urgency as written mail,” he emphasized.

He cited an example where it took two years for the council to respond to a proposal for the establishment of a medical facility. “We had a resident from Ward 8 approach management in 2023 about establishing a medical center. To date, he has not received a formal response, which is unacceptable. If we are to be a smart, transformative city, this culture must change,” Clr Coltart said.

Ward 18 Councillor, Felix Takunda Madzana, echoed the Mayor’s sentiments, revealing that many residents have expressed frustration with the slow response times when approaching management with partnership proposals. “If individuals want to assist the local authority, the process should not be so difficult. We’ve had many residents give up after receiving no response for extended periods,” said Clr Madzana.

The councillors’ call for more efficient management practices underscores the need for the local authority to improve its responsiveness and foster a more business-friendly environment, ensuring that potential investors and stakeholders feel valued and engaged.

As Bulawayo prepares for the upcoming economic conference, the pressure is on for the city to not only strengthen its infrastructure and investment strategies but also to streamline internal processes and communications to ensure a more attractive environment for both local and international partners.