BULAWAYO – Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe has strongly rebuked Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart for hosting Bulelani Khumalo, a South African descendant who claims to be the current Ndebele King.
Khumalo is reportedly a descendant of King Lobengula, the last Ndebele monarch whose reign ended with the Anglo-Ndebele War in 1893, marking the beginning of colonial rule in the territory that became Zimbabwe.
In a strongly worded letter dated April 22, 2025, Garwe expressed the government’s “shock and utter disgust” at the meeting, which reportedly took place in the Bulawayo Mayor’s Parlour on April 21, 2025.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has learnt with shock and utter disgust of a meeting you reportedly held in your capacity as the Mayor of City of Bulawayo with a pseudo ‘King’ Bulelani allegedly at your invitation and bidding,” Garwe stated.
The Minister cited that the Zimbabwean constitution only recognises chiefs, headmen, and village heads, citing Section 283 of the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act (Chapter 29:17).
He stated that the government has consistently denounced Bulelani Khumalo’s claim to the “now defunct throne of King Lobengula” as illegal and baseless.
Garwe accused Coltart of entertaining a “charlatan self-styled ‘King’ Bulelani,” adding that such behavior is “not only criminal but has the negative effect of misleading the general public.”
“As you may be aware, the Government of Zimbabwe has over the years incessantly denounced and dissociated itself from a self-proclaimed “King” Bulelani who illegally claims to be the legitimate heir to the now defunct throne of King Lobengula.
“The Ministry would like to advise you, as the Mayor the City of Bulawayo and any other functionary of City of Bulawayo to desist from entertaining this charlatan self-styled “King” Bulelani as such behaviour is not only criminal but has the negative effect of misleading the general public.
Garwe demanded that Coltart and all City of Bulawayo functionaries cease engaging with Bulelani Khumalo.
He also requested an explanation from the Mayor within seven days regarding the circumstances of the meeting, including whether his actions were authorised by the Ministry of Local Government or any other designated authority.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works strongly condemns the illegal behaviour exuded by the fraudulent imposter Bulelani and would like to advise your office and residents of the City of Bulawayo to ignore him and his antics.
“In light of the above 1 kindly ask you to respond and advise me of the circumstances surrounding your invitation and entertainment of Bulelani, a foreign national.
“Further advise whether or not your actions were authorised, either expressly or implied by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works or by any other authority designated by him.
“Kindly respond within seven (7) days upon receipt of this letter,” Garwe stated.
The issue of the Ndebele kingship remains a sensitive topic in Zimbabwe’s socio-political landscape.
Matabeleland pressure group Ibhetshu LikaZulu has however come to Coltart’s defence, insisting that Khumalo is “the rightful cultural leader of the Ndebele people.”
“We wish to make it unequivocally clear that King Bulelani Khumalo is not a self-appointed figure. His identification was the result of a rigorous, culturally grounded process led by experts in Ndebele traditions and the royal family, after an intense search and broad consultation.
“King Bulelani is a direct descendant of King Lobengula, the last sovereign King of the Ndebele nation before colonial forces violently disrupted our systems of governance and exiled his sons.
“In the eyes of the Ndebele people, King Bulelani is neither a foreigner nor an impostor, but a rightful heir and a symbol of their cultural continuity.
“It is thus entirely appropriate — indeed, a mark of respect and responsibility — for the mayor of Bulawayo, a city founded as the ancient capital of King Lobengula, to meet with the cultural leader of the people who elected him.
“It would be absurd and insulting for the mayor to turn his back on the rich cultural heritage of the society he serves under the pretext of political correctness.” Ibhetshu LikaZulu said in their statement.
