According to a source, these councillors, allegedly under the directive of their leader, Nelson Chamisa, have missed several vital council meetings.
Notably, in Bulawayo, the CCC councillors overlooked essential thematic committee meetings. This included a pivotal tour organised by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which has invested in significant projects like the US$24 million Bulawayo Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project. Due to their absence, many senior council officials also chose to skip the tour.
The source added that Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, confirmed this series of boycotts, stating that they were acting in line with Chamisa's directive. This directive urged elected party national assembly and local council representatives to distance themselves from their official duties in protest against recent recalls of their members across the nation.
The Bulawayo United Residents Association chairperson, Winos Dube, expressed the residents' shock over the councillors' decisions. He emphasised the expectation that councillors should prioritise their duties.
“We are saddened by their actions. It feels like a betrayal to the community that elected them,” Dube lamented.
Similarly, in Gweru, CCC councillors have been absent from meetings, causing considerable concern among the residents.
The source revealed that the councillors wanted to attend but felt constrained by their party's directive.
The Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association Director, Cornelius Selipiwe, voiced concerns about how this could impact budget consultations for 2024. He expressed scepticism about the management's proposal to gather residents' input through questionnaires.
"It's not feasible for everyone, and the CCC councillors' negligence is to blame," he criticised.
In the backdrop of this turmoil, Bulawayo City is in the process of selecting a new deputy mayor after the recent recall of Donaldson Mabuto. Following these recalls, only 26 out of the initial 38 councillors remain. Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Winston Chitando, confirmed the recalls and has informed the necessary authorities about these vacancies.
The situation underscores the tensions between political directives and administrative responsibilities. Residents eagerly await a resolution, hoping for the return of stable governance and prioritised service delivery.
