Connect with us

National

Update on Victoria Falls town clerk issue: Residents association speaks out

Published

on

Victoria Falls town clerk Ronnie Dube

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube’s suspension and reinstatement have sparked controversy.

Advertisement

Late last year, Mayor Prince Moyo suspended Dube over corruption allegations, but the minister Daniel Garwe intervened, calling for the suspension to be rescinded.

The Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (VFCRA) objected to the minister’s decision, citing concerns over corruption.

After a series of meetings and protests, Dube was reinstated in the first week of January.

Advertisement

VFCRA Chairperson Kelvin Moyo met with VicFallsLive to discuss the developments.

NOKUTHABA DLAMINI: Maybe if you can start by briefing us on what has happened following the meeting before Christmas with the residents?

Advertisement

KELVIN MOYO: There was the rescinding of the town clerk’s suspension, which was done by the councillors in a special full council meeting, excluding residents. Afterward, the town clerk came back to work. We called a residents’ meeting and updated them on what had happened. Some councillors attended but couldn’t speak due to the code of conduct requiring them to speak through the mayor, who was unavailable that day.

As a result, residents resolved to go to the council and ensure that, on the day the town clerk was meant to return to work, January 6th, they would demonstrate peacefully to express their dissatisfaction with the decision. Residents expected the town clerk to clear his name through the courts and the commission of inquiry before returning to office. However, these expectations were not met, and he resumed his duties.

We reported the issues to court and obtained a case number. Currently, we are following up on the investigation’s progress. The local ZRP advised us that the case has been referred to Hwange, where an investigating officer will handle the criminal aspects, while another investigator from ZACC will address the administrative issues.

Advertisement

Residents expect the town clerk to inspire confidence by clearing his name and ensuring that rates and tariffs are used effectively. They are worried about expensive rates and tariffs, which are linked to corruption allegations against the town clerk. We will continue to push for justice and ensure that the Victoria Falls remains a destination of choice for local and international investors.

Regarding the minister’s comments labeling our associations as “burial societies,” I view it as political banter. Our mandate is to represent the interests of Victoria Falls residents, and we are registered associations, not burial societies. We are constituted to ensure service delivery, particularly in areas like water, garbage collection, roads, and drainage systems. We will continue to be watchdogs, ensuring that the council’s actions are consistent with the laws of the urban council act and the nation.

I believe the minister is misinformed about the situation on the ground. If he engages with us, I’m confident he will understand our perspective and not have the same views and comments about the Victoria Falls and our associations.

Advertisement

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

on

BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

Advertisement

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

Advertisement

Mandishara, who worked for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), was on patrol in the Gatche-gatche area with fellow rangers and police officers.

At around 10 pm, Mandishara returned to the harbor where their boat was docked, and that’s when he encountered the elephant. The elephant charged at him, causing fatal injuries. His colleagues were nearby, resupplying at the Gatche-gatche Irrigation Scheme.

Mandishara’s body was taken to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and the incident was reported to the police.

Advertisement

ZimParks has sent a team to manage the problem elephant and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Director General of ZimParks, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, and his team have sent condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues. Mandishara will be remembered for his dedication to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

National

ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

Published

on

BY STAFF REPORTER 

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) customs officer, Phillip Kuvenga, has been accused of criminal abuse of office for allegedly assisting in the importation of banned motor vehicles.

Advertisement

Kuvenga, 28, who is stationed at Victoria Falls, allegedly received documents from clients, completed valuation sheets, and carried out the valuation process. However, he is accused of endorsing different chassis numbers to deceive his supervisors during the validation and approval process.

After obtaining approval, Kuvenga would capture the correct chassis numbers in the ASYCUDA World System. He would then alter or replace the documents submitted earlier to his supervisors.

The offense came to light when a motor vehicle that had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe was found to have been already registered. A thorough check by ZIMRA led to Kuvenga’s arrest.

Advertisement

Kuvenga appeared in court on February 1, where he was denied bail by Magistrate Gift Manyka. He is expected to appear in court again today for another bail hearing.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 VicFallsLive. All rights reserved, powered by Advantage