Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube
The recent suspension of the Victoria Falls Town Clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube has caused a significant rift within the city, creating divisions both in the boardroom and among residents.
On Tuesday, some councillors boycotted a full council meeting, leading to a lack of quorum and further escalating tensions surrounding the situation.
The full council meeting was meant to deliberate among other issues, the suspension of Town Clerk who was suspended early this month amid allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
The City’s Mayor, Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo notified Mr Dube of his suspension through a letter dated December 2, 2024. The Mayor noted that Mr Dube’s suspension was in terms of Section 29: (3) of the Urban Councils Act.
The Mayor said he had received several complaints and allegations of abuse of office and corruption against Mr Dube about the illegal allocation of land.
Councillors endorsed the suspension in a full council meeting the following day.
However, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe wrote to the Mayor directing the councillors to rescind the resolution as it was unprocedural and not supported by policy.
Councillors sat last week and resolved to stand by their resolution and the Minister summoned the Mayor and committee chairpersons to Harare where he (the Minister) reportedly reiterated the Ministerial position on the need to rescind the suspension.
The councillors were then expected to sit on Tuesday but only five turned up forcing the postponement of the full council.
Chronicle understands the meeting was rescheduled to this Thursday.
The Mayor could not be reached for comment.
However, sources alleged councillors were told not to attend the full council meeting so that there is no quorum, in full defiance of the minister’s directive.
Victoria Falls has 11 elected councillors and three proportional representation councillors
Residents convened a meeting last week under the auspices of the civic consortium comprising the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (Vifacora) and Hwange District Residents Association (HWADRA), and threatened to deal with the councillors if they rescind the resolution.
They resolved that councillors must not sit in a full council to rescind the resolution saying the lawmakers should rather sacrifice themselves.
The residents said Minister Garwe should come to Victoria Falls so they engage with him over the issue. They had also resolved to demonstrate at the Victoria Falls City Council office although the plan failed.
More to follow…..
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