Councillors face off over traditional wear at Bulawayo full council meeting

Sikhumbuzo Moyo

CHAOS erupted at a full council meeting in Bulawayo on Wednesday as councillors engaged in a heated debate, clashing over the refusal of three colleagues to adhere to a resolution mandating cultural attire during the session.

The dispute culminated in Ward 26 councillor and chairperson of the Finance and Development Committee, Mpumelelo Moyo, walking out in protest after the council declined to eject the non-compliant councillors.

The controversy stems from a resolution passed last year requiring all councillors to wear traditional attire during full council meetings held as part of the Bulawayo Day and Arts Festival commemorations.

However, three councillors — Tinevimbo Maphosa (Ward 21), Nkosilathi Hove (Ward 6), and Donaldson Mabuto (Ward 9) — attended the meeting without any traditional dress.

This sparked an intense debate lasting over an hour on whether the trio should be allowed to participate in the meeting. A vote was eventually held, with 12 councillors in favour of allowing them to remain and 18 against.

Despite the vote, the matter remained unresolved, and the debate continued, prompting the local authority to cut the live feed of the proceedings. Councillor Moyo later stormed out after Mayor David Coltart, who was chairing the meeting, permitted the trio to stay.

“We have a standing resolution on what we should wear, but because you lost after voting in support of ignoring the resolution, now you are changing the game rules. This is tomfoolery — we can’t have this,” said councillor Moyo.

Ahead of Wednesday’s 3 394th full council meeting, Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou had issued a memo reminding councillors of the June 5, 2024 resolution, which stipulated that councillors and staff should wear traditional and African attire during Bulawayo Day and Bulawayo Arts Festival commemorations.

“It shall be recalled that Council (5th June 2024) resolved that councillors and staff dress in traditional and African attire for every Bulawayo Day and Bulawayo Arts Festival Commemorations.

“In the spirit of showcasing the city’s vibrant creative sector and arts scene, and celebrating the Bulawayo Day and Bulawayo Arts Festival week, councillors are being reminded to dress in traditional and African attire for the 3394th council meeting, which will be held on 4th June 2025. This will be symbolic to the residents and stakeholders that cultural rights, in their diverse manifestations, occupy a place of pride in the city and its leadership,” said Mrs Zhou.

This is not the first time attire has sparked debate in council chambers. During the previous full council meeting in May, councillors also spent over an hour discussing Mayor Coltart’s decision to wear a coat instead of a full suit.