BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A full council meeting scheduled to take place at the Victoria Falls City Council today was aborted due to a lack of quorum.

The meeting, which was initially scheduled for Thursday, was fast forward to today in the wake of reports of confusion at Town House.

The meeting was called to discuss the suspension of Town Clerk Ronnie Dube who was suspended two weeks ago on corruption allegations.

It was further reported that it was also to rescind the  Housing Director Brian Nyamande.

However, only five councillors attended, falling short of the required six to form a quorum.

According to Mayor Tuso Moyo, the meeting was urgent, but the lack of quorum prevented any progress.

However, residents’ associations disputed this agenda, stating that the meeting was against the will of the residents and that they were expecting it to take place on Thursday.

Hwange District Residents Association and Victoria Falls Combined Residents’ Association representatives and a few residents were gathered outside the boardroom, awaiting the outcome of the meeting.

The suspension of Dube has sparked controversy, with many calling for transparency and accountability.

The aborted meeting has only added to the uncertainty, leaving many questions unanswered, HWANDRA chair, Hebert Ncube said after the meeting.

“We also gather that the minister, Daniel Garwe, has summoned the two and the mayor, deputy mayor to Harare tomorrow where they just came from again last week. There is so much pressure to rescind the suspension of Dube, but we are saying, he should come here and talk to the people and let justice handle this, then he can be rescinded.”

BY STAFF REPORTER 

The Hwange Local Board has issued a stern warning to business owners with overdue license fees, stating that trading licenses for the 2025 license year will not be renewed for commercial properties with outstanding accounts.

According to a notice issued by Acting Town Secretary Mr. Paul Mabhureni, “Hwange Local Board would like to advise the business community that we will not renew trading licenses for the license year 2025 to all commercial properties whose accounts are in arrears.”

The notice further states that “The Business License Renewal period for the license year 2025 commenced in November 2024 and ends on 31 December 2024.”

Additionally, the notice reminds business owners that, “In terms of the Shop Licences Act Chapter 14.17, no person shall in any shop, store or other fixed place of business, carry on the trade or business of selling or letting for hire any goods except in terms of a shop licence.”

Business owners who fail to renew their licenses within the stipulated timeframe will face penalties, including a fine of one-twelfth of the appropriate license fee for each month or part thereof that has elapsed since their liability arose.

The notice concludes by advising business owners to ensure that their premises are inspected prior to renewing their trading licenses, and urging cooperation in settling outstanding accounts to avoid disruptions to their operations.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Hwange has been hit by two separate tragedies, leaving the community in shock and mourning.

According to police Assistant Inspector, Namatai Mashona, acting Provincial Community Relations and Liaison Officer, “On 11 December 2024 and along Hwange Chaba Road, Emmanuel Muleya (32) who was driving a Sino Hydro Tipper Truck fatally hit Blessing Tafadzwa Mhlanga (29) who was crossing the said road. He sustained fractured legs and protruding intestines.”

According to Ward 3 Councillor Brian Chikumbo, the accident occurred due to poor visibility caused by coal dust on the road where several trucks were passing as the victim tried to pass the road, but was impaired by the dust.

In a separate incident, Brighton Tshuma, 37, of Gurambira Village, was found dead in the middle of the road with severe head injuries and fractured legs.

Mashona says the incident, which occurred on December 8, is being investigated as a suspected hit-and-run.

Meanwhile, the Greater Hwange Residents Association Trust has submitted a petition to the Parliament of Zimbabwe, highlighting the dangers posed by the coal dust in Hwange and calling for urgent action to address the issue.

Hwange tipper truck tragedy: MP calls for ministerial intervention

Hwange residents petition parliament over coal mining health risks