National

Fraud accused Victoria Falls mayor to appear in court

Published

2 years ago

October 7, 2022

BY VICFALLSLIVE REPORTER

Victoria Falls mayor Somvelo Dhlamini is expected to appear in court today following his dramatic arrest on Thursday by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on allegations of fraud.

Dhlamini’s arrest was a culmination of a vicious power struggle at the MDC Alliance controlled local authority after town clerk Ronnie Dube was frog marched out of his office on Tuesday by a group of residents and war veterans.

The mayor was accused of orchestrating Dube’s humiliation after the town clerk ignored a move to suspend him over allegations of corruption.

In a brief statement on Thursday, ZACC said Dhlamini was charged for fraud or alternatively concealing from a principal interest in a transaction.

The charges are said to be emanating from an alleged fraudulent purchase of a residential stand in a low density area by the mayor.

Dhlamini has previously been arrested over the same allegations.

He was also suspended from the mayoral position by the MDC Alliance when it was still led by Nelson Chamisa only to be reinstated by Douglas Mwonzora after he seized control of the opposition party.

The angry war veterans and residents accused Dube of corruption and mismanagement of the local authority’s finances.

Dube, who has been under fire over a US$80 000 car loan he got from council, allegedly ignored his suspension by Dhlamini last month and has been reporting for work.

Dhlamini had on Tuesday told VicFallsLive that a group of about 15 people, who included war veterans and members of the Hwange District Residents Association, stormed the town clerk’s office at around 4PM and instructed him to vacate his office to pave way for investigations into the allegations raised against him.

“We did not know that they were coming,” the mayor said.

“I just received a call from them when they were already there and they invited me to his office,” Dhlamini said.

“It was around 4PM and they forcefully ejected him saying they were not happy with the level of corruption and mismanagement, which has resulted in poor service delivery.

“They told him that investigations were directed towards corrupt handshakes that he has received and the car that he recently bought.

“They exchanged words where he questioned the source of their allegations, but they eventually took him out and locked his office before putting a key blocker.”

Victoria Falls ratepayers have been boycotting the city council’s 2023 budget consultation meetings demanding answers over various allegations of corruption.

Residents boycotted meetings held last month and demanded to be first addressed by council over the alleged irregular sale of commercial stands and the US$89 000 loan that was given to Dube to buy a car, a luxury handshake car for the mayor and leasing of breweries.

The Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association has since written a letter to relevant government ministries, police and parliament asking them to investigate the allegations.

They said they had proof of corrupt deals by the town clerk and councillors.

Victoria Falls residents, mainly in the high density suburbs, have endured over six months without water and the perennial shortage has been worsening since August.

Residents argue that poor service delivery is caused by mismanagement, although council recently told VicFallsive that the issue of water shortages had to do with rising demand during the summer season.

National

Cyclone Chido moves away from Zimbabwe

Published

6 days ago

December 16, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

According to the latest updates from the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), Tropical Cyclone Chido has made landfall in Mozambique, approximately 35-40km south of Pemba, in Cabo Delgado Province.

The intense tropical cyclone brought heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds of up to 220km/h, causing widespread destruction in Mozambique. The system is expected to continue tracking west-southwest towards Malawi, steadily dissipating.

Zimbabwe, which was initially predicted to be in the cyclone’s path, has been spared the worst of the storm.

However, neighboring countries, including Malawi, are expected to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next 72 hours.

The SHOC has issued a multi-hazard impact-based classification, warning of expected impacts, including strong gusts, heavy rainfall, and rough seas, in Mozambique, Malawi, and other parts of the region.

Member states have been urged to closely monitor official weather updates, intensify public awareness campaigns, and preposition relief supplies to enable a swift response to the cyclone’s impact.

National

Senate passes death penalty abolition bill

Published

1 week ago

December 13, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Zimbabwe Senate has passed the Death Penalty Abolition Bill, paving the way for the country to join the growing list of nations that have abolished capital punishment.

The bill, which has already been approved by the National Assembly, will now be sent to the President for assent and subsequent publication in the Gazette as an Act.

The country has 62 convicted prisoners facing the death penalty.

Veritas has congratulated the Senators, Members of the National Assembly, the President, and the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for their role in facilitating the bill’s passage through Parliament.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, defended the bill in the Senate, citing studies that show the death penalty has failed to deter crime.

He emphasized that the actual number of murders remained the same despite the death penalty’s existence, questioning its effectiveness as a deterrent.

Ziyambi also highlighted the bill’s potential to address the root causes of crime, which he believes the death penalty does not tackle. He pointed out the bias of the death penalty against poverty-stricken people, stating that history shows the majority of those executed are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Zimbabwe has been on a de facto moratorium on executions for about 17 years, with the last execution conducted in 2005.

National

Cyclone Chido bears down on Zimbabwe, government issues warning

Published

1 week ago

December 13, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A powerful tropical cyclone named Chido is moving menacingly towards Zimbabwe, prompting the government to issue a warning and advise residents to take necessary precautions.

According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), Cyclone Chido has intensified into an intense tropical cyclone and is likely to affect Zimbabwe on December 17.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds to several provinces, including Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and West, Harare Metropolitan, and parts of Midlands and Mashonaland West.

The MSD has warned of heavy rainfall exceeding 70mm in 24 hours in some areas, which could lead to floods, rockfalls, and mudflows.

Residents have been advised to plan evacuation mechanisms, avoid open spaces, secure their homes from damaging winds, and stay informed through authentic updates from the MSD and the Department of Civil Protection (DCP).

The government has assured citizens that it is taking necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the cyclone. The DCP is on high alert, and emergency services are ready to respond to any situations that may arise.

As Cyclone Chido bears down on Zimbabwe, residents are advised to remain calm but vigilant. The government’s warning and advisory come as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and minimize damage.

Stay tuned for further updates on Cyclone Chido and its impact on Zimbabwe.