Fadzai Mahere, David Coltart and Rusty Markham pub...

Fadzai Mahere, David Coltart and Rusty Markham public spate: Coltart apologises

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Bulawayo City Mayor David Coltart has been attacked for his criticism of former Citizens Coalition for Change legislative representatives, Fadzayi Mahere and Rusty Allan Markham for gifting Zanu PF their respective seats following their resignations.

In his initial comment, Coltart put the blame on the former CCC members who resigned, advising them to self-introspect on what they did, as it has removed them from the privilege of being the dissenting voice on bad governance, abuse and corruption by the ruling party.

Posting on X, Coltart said that the message he communicated was not an attack on his colleagues but rather an expression of disappointment as Zanu PF had clinched more seats, a development he sees as regretful and of great concern.

He went on to apologise to his friends for the comments, which had been interpreted as an attack on them, noting that he reserves his respect for their decisions even though he does not agree with them.

“Yesterday my comments regarding the loss of two seats to Zanu PF in Harare spurred a vigorous debate. One thing I need to make clear is that my comments were not intended as an attack on either Advocate Fadzayi Mahere or Rusty Markham, both of whom are dear and trusted friends.

“Ironically, my comments were borne from deep sadness, concern and regret that neither of them are still in Parliament. Both are amongst the finest Parliamentarians in Zimbabwe and our Nation is all the poorer not having them there. However, my comments were interpreted as an attack on them and for that I apologise unreservedly. Whilst I disagree with the policy of withdrawing from hard-won spaces in general, I shouldn’t by inference have criticised them in particular.

“I stress that I understand why they took their decision and my respect for them both remains undiminished,” Coltart said.

Commenting on a post by online publication ZimEye that had alleged that CCC Secretary-General, Sengezo Tshabangu was to blame for Zanu PF urban inroads, Coltart said that his former colleagues had abandoned their constituencies through resigning on their own accord, while Tshabangu remained a contributing factor.

“With respect, this isn’t factual. These seats went to Zanu because two distinguished MPs resigned of their own accord. Whilst of course Tshabangu was a contributing factor democrats handed these seats to Zanu PF on a platter,” he said.

This drew criticism from Mahere, who pointed out that Coltart had forgotten events that led to their resignation, chief among them being the recall of a number of MPs.

“Nobody who is being true to the chronology of events would suggest that we resigned ‘of our own accord’. That’s the bit that’s not factual. In fact, it’s disingenuous. Have you already forgotten the events that led to the resignation? Are you forgetting that whole blocs of MPs were illegally recalled? Are you forgetting that after being illegally recalled, their by-election campaigns were attacked by violent thugs? Are you forgetting that campaign team members were abducted and murdered with zero accountability? Are you forgetting that sitting MPs were abducted and tortured while the perpetrators who were caught on video were never brought to book?

“Are you forgetting that our members were banned from contesting for no reason? Are you forgetting that Zanu PF gold mafia members were then handed seats uncontested? Are you forgetting how the will of the people was desecrated in Bulawayo?” Mahere responded.

Kuwadzana East MP Charlton Hwende also waded into the clash, supporting Coltart’s view, arguing that there are falsehoods spread on why MPs resigned, noting that there are elements within, that falsified Chamisa’s endorsement during the recent by-elections.

“Thank you, David, we must always be truthful!! If they resigned in solidarity with president Chamisa why did the so-called blue movement field candidates that they were lying that president Chamisa has endorsed them? They even added his picture. Lies and deception must Stop,” Hwende said.