Chamisa exhibits dictatorial tendencies, fires Vic Falls mayor

MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has shown Victoria Falls mayor Somvelo Dhlamini the exit door after he was voted in by eight councillors in defiance of the party's order to allow Margaret Varley to stand in for the alliance during mayoral elections held last month.

Dhlamini yesterday confirmed that he received the expulsion letter, which was signed by the party's Matabeleland North provincial secretary Mxolisi Ndlovu.

"I received the letter and I am still pondering the next step," he said.

Ndlovu accused Dhlamini of defying the party's order by standing for the election when the party had chosen Varley to contest the mayorship on an MDC Alliance ticket.

Varley, however, performed dismally in the elections, clinching only three votes against Dhlamini's eight.

"It is with deep regret that the provincial executive committee, having sat on the 20th of October, has resolved to expel you from the position of councillorship for ward 9 of the Victoria Falls Municipality," Ndlovu advised in his letter.

"The decision came about following a series of your continued breach of party rules and regulations and protocols as outlined; you have continued to defy the party's position on the mayorship issue where it was agreed you stand as a deputy mayor. You have continued to defy the province and the party as regards the same issue.

"The offences that you have committed as a result of your defiance as outlined in an Annexture C of disciplinary code of conduct and regulations and subsection 2:1 are as outlined; for whatever reasons bringing the name of the party into disrepute and ridicule. In any way or manner interfering or acting in an act which undermines or hinders the fulfilment of the party's aims and objective. Disrespecting and undermining any organ or elected official, including failure to respect the protocol of the party."

Dhlamini was also accused of causing divisions in the party.

During the first nomination in August, residents, councillors and party followers revolted against the imposition of mayoral candidates, arguing that it jeopardised democracy, leading to a call off.

However, there have been unrests and divisions in the party's district structures where some sympathised with Dhlamini, while others were in solidarity with Varley.