Bulawayo Mayor, David Coltart has said former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa and the city residents have overwhelmingly urged him to see out his five year term.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Coltart said his earlier conversation with party leader Nelson Chamisa before his resignation suggested the need for him to continue with his work for Bulawayo.

“The overwhelming response, particularly from the Bulawayo public, has been to remain in office. I have also been written to by people I deeply respect, some of whom have been involved in the struggle to bring democracy and freedom to Zimbabwe for over 6 decades, asking me not to resign. These are people who have fought consistently during their entire lives for freedom and I take their views exceptionally seriously,” said Coltart.

He appeared unimpressed by the resignation of elected parliamentarians including Fadzayi Mahere, Norman Markham and Daniel Molokele saying this will end up consolidating the ruling Zanu PF’s grip on all state institutions including parliament.

“The danger we face in Zimbabwe today is that in our anger with all that has happened in the past year to undermine the will of the people and to subvert constitutionalism and the rule of law, we take steps which will end up consolidating ZANU PF’s grip on all institutions including Parliament and our Cities.

“So whilst I deeply respect and understand when principled people resign from Parliament, I remain saddened that they will no longer be able to exercise Parliamentary privilege (which is unique) to expose corruption and to fight against undemocratic and unconstitutional laws.

“It may seem a pointless exercise with ZANU PF being able to ride roughshod over them, but it will now be so much easier for ZANU PF to do this, without any comeback or exposure in Parliament,” said Coltart.

The former Education minister in the inclusive government added that Chamisa told him to continue doing his work.

“It is also pertinent to mention that when Nelson Chamisa telephoned me to notify me in advance of his intention to resign I asked him what his expectations were of me. His response was that I should keep on the work I have been doing. At no point has he asked me to resign,” added Coltart.

Meanwhile, Hwange Central legislator Daniel Molokele has announced his decision to resign from parliament becoming the third legislator to do so after Mt Pleasant and Harare East parliamentarians Fadzayi Mahere and Norman Markham respectively.