Tshabangu faction recalls coltart as Bulawayo waste deal row deepens

[Yesha]

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has reportedly been recalled by a faction of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Sengezo Tshabangu, escalating a political dispute that has unfolded alongside disagreements over the city's proposed waste-management arrangements.

In a letter dated 7 October 2026 and reportedly received by the Ministry of Local Government on Friday, 9 October, the faction, represented by Mbuso Siso, informed Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe that Coltart, the Ward 4 councillor, had ceased to be a member of the party.

The letter reportedly asked the minister to act in terms of Section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution, which provides for the loss of a parliamentary seat when an elected member ceases to belong to the political party under which they were elected. The constitutional framework also contains provisions governing vacancies in local authorities.

The reported recall comes after months of tension between Coltart and councillors over the possible involvement of Geo Pomona Waste Management in Bulawayo's refuse collection and waste-management operations.

Waste management dispute at the centre of tensions​

Geo Pomona, a company associated with businessman Dilesh Nguwaya, has attracted controversy over its waste-management arrangements in Harare, where the cost of refuse collection and street cleaning has been a subject of public debate.

The company's expansion ambitions have reportedly brought Bulawayo into the picture, triggering disagreements within the city's council over whether to engage it.

Coltart has resisted the proposed arrangement, amid concerns about its financial implications and the interests of Bulawayo residents. Some councillors have reportedly supported engaging the company, deepening divisions within the local authority.

The dispute has raised questions about the extent to which local authorities can independently determine their waste-management policies when faced with pressure from national institutions and political interests.

The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency and the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe reportedly urged Bulawayo to engage Geo Pomona. However, the precise nature of their communications and whether they directed the council to award the company a contract require independent confirmation.

For residents, the central concern is whether any arrangement would deliver reliable waste collection at a cost the city can afford.

Earlier denial of a recall plot​

The latest development follows earlier reports that Coltart was facing pressure from the Tshabangu-led faction after he reportedly failed to attend a meeting officiated by Paul Tungwarara, an adviser to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

When reports of a possible recall first emerged, Tshabangu reportedly denied plans to remove Coltart, telling CITE that he had no intention of recalling the mayor. He also questioned whether the party could unilaterally remove Coltart under the Urban Councils Act.

The reported letter dated 7 October now marks a significant development in the dispute, although the reasons formally cited for the recall and any response from Coltart remain important to establishing the full circumstances.

Could Bulawayo face Harare's waste-management controversy?​

Coltart's departure could have implications for the ongoing debate over waste management in Bulawayo, particularly if the council revisits proposals involving Geo Pomona.

In Harare, the company's waste-management arrangement has faced scrutiny over its costs and value to ratepayers. Critics have questioned the financial burden of refuse collection and street cleaning, making the prospect of a similar arrangement in Bulawayo politically sensitive.

However, Bulawayo's future arrangements will depend on decisions by its council and the terms of any agreement that may be considered. The reported recall alone does not establish that the company will be awarded a contract.

Other opposition representatives reportedly recalled​

Coltart was not the only elected representative affected by the reported move.

In separate letters, the faction reportedly notified Parliament of the recall of Bulawayo Senator Ivumile Kucaca Phulu, Bulawayo Central MP Surrender Kapoikilu, Mbizo MP Corban Madzivanyika and Epworth North MP Togarepi Zivai Mhetu.

The developments add to the long-running divisions within the CCC, which has experienced repeated recalls and disputes over party membership since 2023.

For Bulawayo, however, the immediate questions concern Coltart's political future, the leadership of the city council and whether the dispute over waste management will continue to shape decisions affecting residents.

The Ministry of Local Government, the affected representatives and the relevant party officials should clarify the status of the reported recall and the next steps under the law.