By Tichaona Katsvamutima
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has recalled Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, three members of Parliament and a Senator, in a fresh political shake-up unfolding against the backdrop of deepening opposition divisions and a bitter dispute over a controversial waste management deal in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.
Letters dated 7 October 2026, in possession of National Interest News, were submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Parliament, notifying the relevant authorities that the five elected officials had ceased to be members of the CCC.
The move comes amid months of tensions between Coltart and some Bulawayo councillors over moves to allow Geo Pomona Waste Management to take over the city’s waste management.
Coltart has resisted the proposed arrangement, while some councillors have pushed for the city to engage the company, which is seeking to expand its waste management operations beyond Harare.
In correspondence addressed to local government minister Daniel Garwe, the CCC stated:
“Kindly be advised that the Councillor was elected under the Citizens Coalition for Change political Party, and has ceased to be a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change.”
The letter identifies Coltart as the Ward 4 councillor and requests the minister to initiate the relevant constitutional procedures.
“Kindly proceed in terms of the relevant provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Section 129K) relating to members who have ceased to be members of a political party which they were elected under.”
However, the letter’s reference to Section 129 raises a legal question, as the provision governs parliamentary membership, while the constitutional framework for recalling councillors falls under Section 278.
In a separate letter addressed to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, the CCC also sought the recall of three legislators: Surrender Kapoikilu of Bulawayo Central, Corban Madzivanyika of Mbizo in Kwekwe and Togarepi Zivai Mhetu of Epworth North.
“Kindly be advised that the following Members of the National Assembly were elected under the Citizens Coalition for Change Political Party, and have ceased to be members of the Citizens Coalition for Change,” the letter reads.
Another notification addressed to Senate President Mabel Chinomona identifies Bulawayo senator Kucaca Phulu as having ceased to belong to the party.
