National
Mayor’s arrest exposes serious Victoria Falls council infighting
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
The arrest of Victoria Falls mayor Somvelo Dhlamini has exposed serious infighting in the MDC Alliance controlled city council pitting management against the political leadership as both sides are trading accusations of corruption against each other.
Dhlamini is spending the weekend in custody after he was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) on charges that he fraudulently acquired a housing stand illegally.
The mayor, who appeared at the Hwange regional magistrates court on Friday and was remanded in custody to tomorrow for the bail ruling, had earlier in the week been linked to the violent removal of town clerk Ronnie Dube from his office by war veterans and members of the Hwange Residents Association.
Dube was accused by a group of about 15 people that stormed his office before locking him out of ignoring his suspension by Dhlamini over alleged corruption cases.
Prosecutors revealed that the town clerk was the one, who laid charges against the mayor.
Dhlamini seen shaking hands with President Emmerson Mnangagwa
The prosecution said: “On the 15th of August 2022 and at Victoria Falls City Council offices the accused Somvelo Dhlamini, who is the mayor of the city council and in his capacity as such unlawfully and intentionally made a misrepresentation and purported to be Valentine Munyaradzi Maseko who he had earlier on in 2003 purchased stand 1139 by making an application using the name Valentine Munyaradzi Maseko to Victoria Falls City Council under the Wood Road Housing Scheme upon which the council offered him stand number 1771 Wood Road which needed a deposit of US$25 000.”
It was alleged that Dhlamini paid US$10 000 and the balance was supposed to be paid within five days, but he failed to settle the debt and paid $7 500 000 instead.
The mayor was accused of misrepresenting himself as Maseko and defrauded the city despite a 2020 full council resolution that said people applying for residential stands must “not have benefitted before through allocation, purchase or lost stands through repossession within Victoria Falls City.”
Dhlamini is accused of prejudicing council of US$15 000 and a potential prejudice of US$66 462.75.
Dhlamini has previously been arrested over the same allegations
The latest fight between the mayor and town clerk erupted last month when Dhlamini suspended Dube after accusing him of being corrupt.
Dube ignored the suspension and continued reporting for work which led to his second suspension on September 20, which was also ignored.
Dhlamini last week told VicFallsLive that a group of about 15 people, who included war veterans and members of the Hwange District Residents Association, stormed Dube’s office at around 4PM and instructed him to pave way for investigations into the allegations raised against him.
He said he did not know that the group was plotting the raid until they called him into Dube’s office to table their grievances, which led them to kick him out before locking the office and putting a key blocker.
Zanu PF’s Hwange district disassociated itself from the war veterans that raided Dube’s office.
Dhlamini was previously 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.
Last year, Dube was also arrested by ZACC on allegations of corruption, but was later acquitted by the same court after the magistrate said the state failed to provide convincing evidence against him.
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 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.
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.
Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on
The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.
Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.
Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.
In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.
Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.
In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.
The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.
Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.
Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.
https://x.com/vic_falls_live/status/1941861569450725776?s=46
Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.
-
Slider3 years agoInnscor launches brewery to produce Nyathi beer
-
National4 years agoIn perched rural Matabeleland North, renewable energy is vital
-
Opinion3 years agoA street art mural in Zimbabwe exposes a divided society
-
Tourism and Environment4 years agoStrive Masiyiwa’s daughter opens luxury Victoria Falls lodge
-
National2 years agoCommission of inquiry findings fail to be tabled as Victoria Falls councillors fight
-
National3 years agoVictoria Falls’ pilot dies in helicopter crash
-
National2 years agoHwange coal miner fires workers over salary dispute
-
National4 years agoVictoria Falls bartender gored to death by elephant