Investigative Reporter

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, who was once celebrated as a beacon of development and a staunch opponent of corruption, is now embroiled in a controversy that casts a shadow over his political career.

According to sources close to the City Council's internal investigations, Coltart is implicated in a bribery scandal involving the South African-based Terracotta Trading, linked to the city's high-profile Egodini Mall project.

The allegations against Coltart suggest a breach of public trust and a stark deviation from his previously acclaimed anti-corruption stance.

According to a source, these claims hinge on his alleged involvement in a dubious transaction that now jeopardises the credibility of the Egodini Mall, a major urban development initiative.

Investigative reports indicate that Coltart's connections with Terracotta Trading, a key player in the Egodini Mall project, have raised red flags about his dedication to ethical governance.

The Mayor is accused of receiving a significant bribe, masked as a gift, for his role in ensuring the contract extension of Terracotta Trading.

Terracotta Trading, which won the bid in 2012 to convert the Egodini Taxi Rank into a state-of-the-art mall and taxi hub valued at US$60 million, was on the brink of contract termination due to missed deadlines.

However, Coltart reportedly held a covert meeting in Bulawayo with representatives from Terracotta Trading, a company reportedly connected to his family, just days before his anniversary trip to Europe.

Insiders from the City Council Management allege that during this secretive gathering, Coltart, along with Town Clerk, Chris Dube and the now-recalled Deputy Mayor Donaldson Mabutho, pledged to overturn the Council Management’s decision to cancel Terracotta Trading’s tender.

In return for this intervention, Coltart is said to have accepted a R75,000 bribe, cunningly presented as a congratulatory gift for his mayoral victory.

Political commentator, Nobleman Runyanga said that these allegations, if proven true, represent a significant betrayal of public trust and a dramatic shift from Coltart’s initial anti-corruption advocacy.

“The scandal not only undermines the integrity of the Egodini Mall project, but also raises serious questions about the ethical standards upheld by elected officials in Bulawayo,” said Runyanga.

Meanwhile, some residents in Bulawayo said that the unfolding situation demands thorough investigation and accountability to maintain public confidence in the city's governance.