Residents of Victoria Falls are unhappy with the decision by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, to order the city council to reverse the suspension of Town Clerk Ronnie Dube, who is facing corruption allegations.
Last year, Victoria Falls Mayor Prince Moyo suspended Dube over these allegations, but Garwe intervened and called for the suspension to be lifted.
In an interview with <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/update-on-victoria-falls-town-clerk-issue-residents-association-speaks-out/">VicFallsLive</a>, Kelvin Moyo, Chairperson of the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (VFCRA), said they expected Dube to clear his name through the courts and a commission of inquiry before returning to office. He added:
<blockquote>
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.
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.
</blockquote>
Garwe recently dismissed residents’ associations as burial societies, claiming they do not represent the interests of all residents. He said:
<blockquote>
The constitution of this country does not recognise the existence of those burial societies or residents associations.
So, we did not even pay attention to the letter that was coming from those burial societies. Those are just loose associations of like-minded people.
They do not represent the interests of all the residents. So, we did not pay attention to them because we were not bound by any statutes to listen to them. So, we did not listen to their lawyers and to them as well.
</blockquote>
In response to Garwe’s remarks labelling residents’ associations as “burial societies,” Moyo said the minister is misinformed about the situation on the ground. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Regarding the minister’s comments labelling 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 Victoria Falls and our associations.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Residents of Victoria Falls are upset because the Minister ordered the city council to let the Town Clerk, who is accused of corruption, come back to work. People want the Town Clerk to prove he is innocent before returning. They are worried about expensive rates and corruption. The Minister called residents' associations "burial societies" and said they don't represent everyone, but residents disagree. They say they are registered associations that work to improve their town. Residents will keep fighting for justice and to make sure their town is run correctly.

Victoria Falls Residents Demand Transparency In Town Clerk Corruption Probe

Residents of Victoria Falls have vowed to prevent Town Clerk Ronnie Dube from returning to office, despite Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe’s decision to overturn Dube’s suspension by Mayor Prince Tuso Moyo.
Moyo had suspended Dube over allegations of corruption related to land deals and contracts, but Garwe nullified the suspension.
Speaking at Chinotimba Hall, where hundreds of residents, including war veterans and members of the Hwange Residents Association, had gathered, Kelvin Moyo, chairperson of the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association, insisted that Dube should remain suspended until the investigations into the allegations are concluded. Said Moyo (via <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/victoria-falls-residents-vow-to-bar-town-clerk-from-office-despite-ministers-intervention/">VicFallsLive</a>):
<blockquote>
The reason why we were here was to give the residents feedback that they had initially asked us to write to the mayor to say he should suspend the Town Clerk Ronnie Dube on the allegations.
People have resolved, after receiving feedback, that the letter written by the minister regarding the rescinding of their decision should be set aside. This letter was a resolution.
The section raised by the minister can only be invoked when he is protecting the interests of the residents. However, in this case, the interests of the residents are well known to us.
The residents themselves have stated that it is the right decision to suspend the Town Clerk in order to pave the way for the investigation.
</blockquote>
The residents resolved to stage a peaceful demonstration to prevent Dube from returning to work until investigations into his alleged misconduct were completed. They plan to march to the council offices to physically block his entry.
Garwe’s decision to nullify Dube’s suspension was based on Section 139(4) of the Urban Councils Act, which grants the minister the authority to intervene in council decisions.
However, Moyo contends that this provision does not apply in this case, arguing that the minister is not acting in the best interests of the residents.
The controversy surrounding Dube’s suspension adds to a growing list of allegations of corruption and mismanagement at the Victoria Falls City Council.
Dube has refrained from commenting on the accusations since his suspension last week.
This is not the first time Dube has faced such allegations; he was suspended in 2021 over similar issues but was later reinstated.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Residents of Victoria Falls are mad that their Town Clerk, Ronnie Dube, is coming back to work after being accused of corruption. The Mayor suspended him, but the Minister said it was okay for him to come back. The residents disagree and want him to stay suspended until the investigation is done. They plan to protest and block him from entering the office. The Minister has the power to overturn the Mayor's decision, but the residents think he is not doing what's best for them. This is not the first time Dube has been accused of doing bad things.

Victoria Falls Residents Vow To Block Town Clerk's Return

The Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe has ordered Victoria Falls City Council Mayor Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo to reverse the suspension of Town Clerk Ronnie Dube with immediate effect.
In a letter dated 06 December 2024, and addressed to Moyo, Garwe the suspension was unprocedural. He wrote:
<blockquote>
It has come to my attention that you suspended the Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube on 2 December 2024. On 3 December 2024 council convened a special full council meeting for ratification of the Town Clerk’s suspension.
I have noted that the resolution which council made is not in line with Section 139 (4) of the Urban Councils Act by constituting two bodies of inquiry which will financially prejudice the council.
The decision to pay the suspended Town Clerk allowances is also not supported by any council policy. 
I am therefore of the view that the resolution of the Council is not in the interest of the inhabitants of the council area considered and or public interest who are the taxpayers of the council.
With immediate effect, I hereby in terms of Section 314 of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] direct the council to rescind the resolution made on 3 December regarding the suspension of the Town Clerk Mr R. Dube.
</blockquote>
Dube was suspended last Monday following allegations of corruption and abuse of office, with councillors formally endorsing the suspension in a full council meeting the next day.
The suspension was initially set for 14 days, after which a decision would be made based on the findings of an ongoing investigation into the allegations, as stated by Cllr Moyo.
The Mayor said that he had received multiple complaints and allegations concerning Dube’s involvement in the illegal allocation of land, which led to the suspension.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government said the mayor cannot suspend the town clerk Ronnie Dube and wants the suspension reversed. The mayor made a decision that is not allowed by the law and is not good for the people who live in the area. Ronnie Dube was accused of doing bad things, so he got suspended, but now the suspension has to be cancelled. The mayor said there were complaints about Ronnie Dube giving away land in a wrong way. The investigation will continue to see if it is true or not.

Government Reverses Suspension Of Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube

Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Prince Moyo has suspended Town Clerk Ronnie Dube with immediate effect over allegations of abuse of office and corruption.
In the letter of suspension addressed to Dube, dated December 02, Moyo said that the suspension is in terms of Section 139 of the Urban Councils Act, Chapter 29:15. Some of the allegations levelled against Dube are:
<ul>
<li>Allocating stands 9816 and 9945 to Priscilla Thabolo and Portia Saritsozo without following Council procedures</li>
<li>Awarding a contract to Cascade Engineering Consultants without following tender processes.</li>
<li>Selling and transferring stand 1829 in Chinotimba Township without receiving payment or following procedures.</li>
</ul>
See the letter below:
<blockquote>
RE: SUSPENSION OF THE TOWN CLERK IN TERMS OF 5139 (3) OF URBAN COUNILS ACT CHAPTER 29:15

In my capacity as the Mayor, I have received several complaints and allegations of abuse of office and corruption against yourself.
In particular it is alleged that you allocated or caused to be allocated stand 9816 to Priscilla Thabolo and stand 9945 to Portia Saritsozo without following Council procedures.
It is alleged that the above two have a relationship with you, (2)it is alleged that you awarded a contract to Cascade Engineering Consultants for overseeing a contract management without following the tender processes and, (3) it is alleged that you sold and transferred stand 1829 Chinotimba Township and Council did not receive payment for the same and the sale was not procedurally done.
As a result of the above allegations amongst others I hereby suspend with immediate effect and this suspension is in terms of 5139 of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15.
You are required to leave Council offices forthwith. Council will notify you on the way forward.
</blockquote>
Last week, Dube was named Zimbabwe’s Best Performing Chief Executive for 2024 by the Zimbabwe CEO’s Network.
Dube, who assumed his position at Victoria Falls City Council eight years ago, succeeded Christopher Dube, now Town Clerk for Bulawayo City Council.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Victoria Falls Mayor Prince Moyo has suspended Town Clerk Ronnie Dube for doing bad things. Dube is accused of unfair land dealings and giving contracts without following rules. The mayor got many complaints about Dube. The suspension is immediate, and Dube must leave the office. Dube was named Zimbabwe's Best CEO in 2024. He took over the job eight years ago. Christopher Dube is now the Town Clerk for Bulawayo City Council.

Victoria Falls Mayor Suspends Town Clerk Ronnie Dube Over Corruption Allegations

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has absolved Victoria Falls Mayor, Councillor Somvelo Dlamini, of corruption charges, and instead found the Town Clerk, Ronnie Dube, culpable on a number of graft charges.
Last year, Victoria Falls residents locked Dube’s office, accusing him of corruption, and in response, the Ministry dispatched a team to the city to investigate the allegations against him.
According to findings of the inquiry that have already been presented to the local authority, Dube has been found culpable on a number of charges. Part of the report reads:
<blockquote>
The Town Clerk, Ronnie Dube must be held accountable and culpable for writing to Jackelberry informing them that they had a 15-year lease that was being processed by council when in fact no allocation and resolution had been passed by council.
By so doing, the Town Clerk usurped the powers of council to resolve this critical matter an issue that the executive was expected to implement after resolution.
The Town Clerk Ronny Dube must be held culpable and accountable for allocating the Chinotimba Brewery to Jackelberry investments without a council resolution and authority.
The Town Clerk must be held accountable for variation of the employment of his contract by applying for a vehicle loan and requesting for a discount fully aware that it was not provided.
</blockquote>
Dube has been ordered to pay the loan in full as the council was prejudiced of US$20 075.
He was also found guilty of presenting matters in Full Council without first presenting the matters to committees for deliberations and for running council without Work Plans and failing to properly appraise his management during the course of the year, among other allegations. | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/victoria-falls-town-clerk-must-face-the-music-government/">The Sunday News</a>

'Victoria Falls Town Clerk Must Be Held To Account'

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Electoral_Commission">Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)</a> has announced the cancellation of Ward 8 Victoria Falls Municipality vacancy that had been advertised on 20 October 2022. 
In a statement seen by Pindula News, ZEC said the cancellation was necessitated by a letter by Victoria Falls Town Clerck which stated that the recall of the incumbent was erroneous. Reads the statement issued by Mr Utoile Silaigwana, the ZEC chief elections officer:
<blockquote>
<h2>Cancellation of Vacancy: Ward 8 Victoria Falls Municipality</h2>
This notice serves to advise the public that the Election Notice published by the Commission on 20 October 2022 on the occurrence of a vacancy in Ward 8 of Victoria Falls Municipality is hereby withdrawn. This withdrawal follows a letter dated 3 November 2022 by the Town Clerk of Victoria Falls Municipality advising the Commission that the MDC-T had erroneously recalled the incumbent Councillor.
</blockquote>
Three weeks ago, opposition MDC-T led by Senator Douglas Mwonzora, recalled two Victoria Falls councillors accusing them of defying party protocol and siding with rival opposition, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa.
Councillors for Ward 7 and 8, in that order, Thuso Moyo, and Josepha Dzangai were ordered to vacate their seats.
Town Clerk Ronnie Dube wrote to the two councillors advising them that the Minister of Local Government and Public Works had informed his office that they had been expelled from the Movement for Democratic Change T (MDC-T) party. Dube wrote:
<blockquote>
In terms of Section 278 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe as read with Section 129(1)(k) the ward is now vacant. 
</blockquote>
Victoria Falls City has 11 wards.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

ZEC Announces Cancellation Of Ward 8 Victoria Falls Municipality Vacancy

The State has withdrawn before plea, charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer against Victoria Falls Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube for lack of evidence.
Hwange magistrate Ms Barbara Phiri withdrew charges against Dube on Tuesday after the state prosecutor Ms Kudzai Mudzamiri made a verbal submission for intention to withdraw the charges before plea.
Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Somveli Dlamini had suspended Dube on April 28 this year accusing him of corruption, gross incompetence, abuse of office and causing the local authority to lose revenue.
He was eventually arrested in May.
A commission of inquiry set by Victoria Falls City Council to investigate allegations levelled against Mr Dube exonerated him saying there was no wrongdoing by the Town Clerk.
The Commission recommended his reinstatement which was done in June.
The commission chaired by former Victoria Falls Mayor Alderman Nkosilathi Jiyane said the charges could have emanated from personal vendettas and lack of trust within the council.
It also recommended that the local authority should improve on its information handling and avoid having anyone speaking for the organisation.
After the withdrawal of the charges, Dube’s defence counsel Mr Matshobana Ncube of Ncube Attorneys wrote to the council advising that the Town Clerk was now a free man.
The letter was read during a full council meeting on Tuesday. Read the letter:
<blockquote>
We still act for the above named Mr Ronnie Dube who is our client and is the Town Clerk for the City of Victoria Falls. We write to advise that today at the Hwange Magistrates’ Courts the State dropped charges against our client. Consequently, he has been liberated as there is no pending matter at this moment in time. The net effect of the dropping of charges is that he is a free man with no charge outstanding against him.
</blockquote>
Mr Dube had been out of custody on $50 000 since his arrest in May.
Allegations were that Dube (54) caused the council to sell a commercial stand to a local tour operator, Shearwater Adventures in 2019 without following tender procedures. 
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/latest-vic-falls-town-clerk-acquitted/">The Chronicle</a>

State Withdraws Criminal Abuse Of Office Charges Against Victoria Falls Clerk

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Victoria_Falls">Victoria Falls</a> Town Clerk Ronnie Dube has been arrested on allegations of corruption days after the municipality’s <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/04/victoria-falls-councillors-reverse-town-clerk-suspension/">councillors had voted against his suspension and ordered his reinstatement with immediate effect</a> saying the suspension was unprocedural.
Dube was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZAAC).
ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure told Chronicle that he had asked people from investigations to confirm the arrest.
Dube was reportedly picked up by two policemen from the Victoria Falls City Council offices on Wednesday and taken to Hwange where he is being detained pending a court appearance.
Dube was suspended without pay and benefits by the city’s Mayor Councillor Somveli Dlamini last week who accused him of “corruption, gross incompetence, abuse of office and causing the local authority to lose revenue.”
Victoria Falls Councillors convened a special meeting on Monday and resolved that the Town Clerk’s suspension be revoked as it was null and void, adding that Dube should continue executing his duties.
The councillors said the mayor had failed to furnish them with the basis of the allegations or consult them on the best decision to make which is contrary to council regulations.
The suspension was with immediate effect and without pay or benefits but Mr Dube remained in office executing his duties as usual.
This is the second time Cllr Dlamini has suspended Dube, the first being on August 4, 2020, when he wrote a suspension letter similar word for word to the one served last Wednesday and with similar allegations.
Cllr Dlamini later withdrew the suspension through a letter dated August 27, 2020, after other councillors opposed the suspension.

<ol>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/04/victoria-falls-councillors-reverse-town-clerk-suspension/">Victoria Falls’ Councillors Reverse Town Clerk Suspension</a></li>
<li>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/26/zanu-pf-mp-forces-cottco-to-employ-clerks-without-o-level/">ZANU PF MP ‘Forces’ Cottco To Employ Clerks Without ‘O’ Level</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/12/09/gweru-town-clerk-has-been-fired/">Gweru Town Clerk Has Been Fired</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/10/11/zanu-pf-demands-the-reinstatement-of-chitungwiza-town-clerk/">Zanu PF Demands The Reinstatement Of Chitungwiza Town Clerk</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/09/10/sacu-arrests-harare-town-clerk/">SACU Arrests Harare Town Clerk</a>
</li>
</ol>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/just-in-vic-falls-town-clerk-arrested/">Chronicle</a>

Victoria Falls Latest News

Latest Jobs