Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
VICTORIA Falls Deputy Mayor and Ward Three councillor Lungile Nyoni has lost his council seat after defecting from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) to the ruling Zanu-PF, becoming the latest councillor to be recalled in the resort city.
Nyoni, who was elected under the CCC banner, ceased to hold office by operation of law in terms of Section 278(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as read with Section 129(1)(k), following his resignation from the opposition party and subsequent affiliation with Zanu-PF.
In a letter dated July 31, 2026, addressed to the Victoria Falls City Council Town Clerk and seen by Zimpapers, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe confirmed the vacancy and directed council to immediately notify the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
“I hereby advise that I am in receipt of a notice of vacancy in the office of Councillor for Ward
Three, Victoria Falls City Council, previously held by Mr Lungile Nyoni. Mr Nyoni, who was elected under the banner of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has since resigned from the party and affiliated with the Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF),” wrote Minister Garwe.
“In terms of Section 278(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as read with Section 129(1)(k), the office of Councillor for Ward 3 has become vacant by operation of law. You are hereby directed to proceed without delay to notify the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of this vacancy, in accordance with the constitutional and statutory requirements.”
Nyoni resigned from the CCC in June, saying he wanted to contribute more effectively to national development.
At the time, he said his decision followed careful reflection on his responsibilities as deputy mayor and his aspirations for the people of Victoria Falls.
“It follows a period of careful reflection on my responsibilities as deputy mayor of Victoria Falls City Council, my aspirations for the people I serve, and desire to contribute meaningfully towards the developmental agenda of our nation,” he said.
Nyoni also expressed regret over his previous political choices and said he had chosen to align himself with Zanu-PF.
“I acknowledge that my political journey led me away from the Party that has remained the custodian of Zimbabwe’s independence, sovereignty, and development. Looking back, I regret the choices that distanced me from a movement that has consistently demonstrated resilience and commitment to the welfare of the people,” he said.
Zanu-PF subsequently welcomed his defection, with the party’s Matabeleland North provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo describing Nyoni’s move as a boost for Victoria Falls.
Meanwhile, ZEC has announced that a by-election will be held to fill the Ward three vacancy on October 3.
In a public notice, ZEC Chief Elections Officer Mr Simbarashe Tongayi said the nomination court would sit on September 2 at the Victoria Falls Town Clerk’s offices.
“The Commission has received written notifications that the seat of councillor for Ward 3 of Victoria Falls Municipality has become vacant following a recall of the incumbent councillor.”
“The nomination court shall sit at Offices of the Town Clerk, Livingstone Way, Victoria Falls, for the purposes of receiving nominations of candidates for election as councillor for Ward 3, Victoria Falls Municipality,” said ZEC.
The electoral body said October 3 had been set as the polling day should a contest arise.
“Saturday, the 3rd day of October 2026 has been fixed as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of Section 125(4)(b) of the Electoral Act,” reads the notice.
Nyoni is the latest Victoria Falls councillor to lose his seat amid a series of political defections and recalls involving opposition councillors.
Three other CCC councillors; Mthunzi Mpofu of Ward 9, Nkanyiso Sibindi of Ward 10 and Daniel Moyo of Ward 11, were previously recalled, resulting in by-elections held on August 1.
Zanu-PF won all three contested municipal wards in those elections, completing a clean sweep.
