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Leonard Ncube, leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw
VICTORIA Falls councillors are under pressure to convene and reinstate town clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube, following a directive from the Government.
The move aims to restore harmony within the local authority after Mr Dube’s suspension on December 2 by Victoria Falls mayor, Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo. The suspension, citing Section 29(3) of the Urban Councils Act, was based on allegations of abuse of office and corruption.
However, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, deemed the suspension non-procedural and unsupported by policy. He instructed the councillors to rescind their resolution and reinstate Mr Dube.
Despite this, successive council meetings have failed to implement the directive. One meeting lacked a quorum, with only five of the 11 elected councillors attending, while another could not proceed due to the mayor’s absence, as he holds the letter from the minister.
Victoria Falls deputy mayor, Councillor Lungile Nyoni, who chaired the recent council meeting, said the local authority would be guided by the Government and the availability of the mayor.
“As you can see, we were supposed to have a full council meeting to discuss some items, one of them being the letter sent to His Worship the mayor advising councillors to rescind the decision to suspend the town clerk. The letter was sent to the mayor and not to the council registry, so we could not discuss it because we didn’t know its contents,” he said.
Clr Nyoni said councillors sought direction from the ministry after realising the mayor was unavailable.
The ministry directed them to proceed with the deputy mayor chairing, in accordance with the law.
“So, we discussed the agenda we prepared as council and did not discuss anything about the letter because we did not receive anything from the minister. For now, I think I have to look for the mayor. And for the position of the council, the council works with the ministry, and we are going to wait for communication from the ministry,” he said.
“That’s the position of the council, but what’s important now is to look for the mayor not as the mayor but as one of the residents,” he said.
Efforts to locate the mayor have been unsuccessful, though sources indicated he had travelled and was expected back in the city.
“Rescinding the suspension will only happen when the mayor is back or if we receive communication directed to the council and not to a person,” said the deputy mayor.
Meanwhile, residents’ groups have voiced their concerns. Speaking after a meeting convened by the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (Vicfacora) and Hwange District Residents Association (Hwadra), Hwadra chairperson, Mr Herbert Ncube said residents remain steadfast in holding public office leaders accountable.
“I am speaking on behalf of residents; this is the message we got from the meeting. We have reported a case to the police and it should be investigated,” he said.
Vicfacora chairperson, Mr Kelvin Moyo acknowledged the negative impact of the suspension on the city.
“The events in Victoria Falls have left everyone concerned. The city’s economy depends on tourism and investment, particularly with the foreign currency stock exchange here. We need to build investor confidence.
“In my view, this is not a personal matter. Councillors are elected to serve the people, and if they see fit to follow the Government’s directive, so be it. Ultimately, this will be judged by the residents,” he said. — @ncubeleon
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