Coltart becomes Bulawayo mayor by default, faces daunting challenges

TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA

David Coltart of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has been elected unopposed as the mayor of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city. In the just-ended general elections, Coltart emerged victorious as the Councilor of Ward 4.

David Coltart elected Bulawayo City mayor, Citizens Coalition for Change ward 4 councillor

The vastly experienced lawyer nominated Councilor Donaldson Mabuto to serve as the deputy mayor; the latter being elected to the deputy position unopposed.

This latest development was confirmed by Fadzayi Mahere, former CCC spokesperson and now a member of parliament (MP) for Mt Pleasant saying:

CONGRATULATIONS to David Coltart on being elected Mayor of Bulawayo. Here's wishing you the best in your tenure and hoping the residents, business & all stakeholders will benefit immensely from your passion for this great city!

Coltart conveyed his words of gratitude to the voters for their confidence in him and for granting him the opportunity to become the face of the city as its leader.

In commencing his term of office, the new mayor will be faced with a myriad of daunting challenges plaguing the 'City of Kings and Queens' including perennial water problems, garbage, illegal vending, housing problems, scant investment, among others.

David Coltart previously stated that if elected as mayor, his immediate task is to "clean up" the city which he described as a "cesspit" in order to attract an influx of investment to the city.

He called for a multi-pronged approach to this predicament, calling for concerted efforts from residents, local businesses, civil society, and other stakeholders to restore the pristine outlook of Zimbabwe's second largest city

Bulawayo, once a thriving industrial hub, has suffered from years of economic decline and neglect under the ruling establishment, which has been accused of marginalising the Matabeleland region where the city is located.

Apart from practicing law since the early 1980s, Coltart is a founding member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) when it was birthed in 1999.

He served as the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture in the unity government formed by the late Morgan Tsvangirai and former President Robert Mugabe from 2009 to 2013.

He is also the author of a book titled “The Struggle Continues: 50 Years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe”.