Bulawayo City Council Denies King Mambo Request To Use Small City Hall For Free

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) recently turned down a request from the King Mambo Royal Council to use the Small City Hall free of charge.

The council’s policy allows its facilities to be used for free only for national events such as Independence Day, Heroes Day, and Defence Forces Day.

According to the latest council minutes, King Mambo wrote to the local authority seeking permission to use the Small City Hall for the royal house’s celebrations scheduled for October 11. The letter from the Mambo Royal Council, dated September 16, states:

“I am applying for the use of Small City Hall on October 11, 2025 for royal activities. Mambo Royal Council is operating under Mambo Dynasty Trust, which was registered as a trust in July 2015.

“Please note: For the last 10 years, we have never involved ourselves in politics and we will remain so. Kindly allow us to use your Small City Hall free of charge.”

According to the council minutes, the municipality grants a 50% discount to private voluntary organisations and special needs groups, subject to approval by the General Purposes Committee upon review of their applications. The minutes read:

“In view of the above-mentioned, the applicants are a private voluntary organisation, which in accordance to council’s current policy, qualify for a 50% discount.

“It had been recommended that Mambo Royal Council be granted use of the Small City Hall at a 50% discount.”

Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu proposed that the Mambo Royal Council be required to pay the full booking fee.

Town Clerk Christopher Dube said a precedent had been set when the council allowed the King Mzilikazi commemorations to use the venue at half price.

Despite this, the deputy mayor’s proposal was unanimously supported by other councillors. Council minutes show it was resolved that the Mambo Royal Council should pay 100% of the Small City Hall booking fee.

In an interview with Southern Eye, King Mambo, born Mike Moyo, expressed his displeasure, saying the council’s decision was unfair and inconsistent. He added:

“In 2017, they gave us a huge discount, but nevertheless, we paid the full amount of US$645.”