News / National
Government orders councillors to reinstate town clerk
19 Dec 2024 at 16:44hrs | Views
The Zimbabwean government has instructed Victoria Falls city councillors to immediately reinstate suspended town clerk, Mr. Ronnie Dube, and restore order within the local authority.
Mr. Dube was suspended on December 2 by the city's mayor, Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo, following accusations of abuse of office and corruption. These allegations included the illegal allocation of land. The mayor's decision was endorsed by councillors during a full council meeting the following day, with the suspension cited under Section 29(3) of the Urban Councils Act.
However, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe swiftly intervened, deeming the suspension non-procedural and in violation of established policy. In a letter addressed to Mayor Moyo, Minister Garwe instructed the councillors to rescind their resolution and reinstate the town clerk.
Despite the minister's directive, councillors defied the order, maintaining their decision to uphold the suspension. This led to the mayor and committee chairpersons being summoned to Harare to meet with Minister Garwe, where he reaffirmed his stance.
On Tuesday, a crucial full council meeting aimed at addressing Mr. Dube's suspension could not proceed due to a lack of quorum. Only five of the 11 elected councillors, along with three proportional representatives, attended, further heightening the tensions within the local government. The boycott by some councillors underscored the divisions, with the suspension issue remaining unresolved.
In a statement following the failed meeting, Minister Garwe reiterated the government's position, emphasizing the importance of unity and following due process. He noted that a meeting had already taken place between himself, the mayor, the deputy mayor, and the suspended town clerk, during which the reinstatement of Mr. Dube was agreed upon.
"They cannot defy this directive because it is now an order," Minister Garwe asserted, urging councillors to call a full council meeting to formalize the decision.
The government's intervention has sparked mixed reactions from Victoria Falls residents. While some support the directive, others have voiced frustration at the imposition, calling it an unwarranted interference in local governance. Last week, residents organized a meeting through the civic consortium, which includes the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (Vifacora) and Hwange District Residents Association (HWADRA).
During the gathering, residents resolved to oppose Mr. Dube's reinstatement and warned councillors of potential consequences if they followed the government's order. They have also called for Minister Garwe to visit Victoria Falls to address the community's concerns directly. In a show of defiance, residents threatened to stage demonstrations at the Victoria Falls City Council offices if their voices were ignored.
The situation remains tense as both government authorities and local stakeholders prepare for what could be a prolonged dispute over governance in the city.
Mr. Dube was suspended on December 2 by the city's mayor, Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo, following accusations of abuse of office and corruption. These allegations included the illegal allocation of land. The mayor's decision was endorsed by councillors during a full council meeting the following day, with the suspension cited under Section 29(3) of the Urban Councils Act.
However, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe swiftly intervened, deeming the suspension non-procedural and in violation of established policy. In a letter addressed to Mayor Moyo, Minister Garwe instructed the councillors to rescind their resolution and reinstate the town clerk.
Despite the minister's directive, councillors defied the order, maintaining their decision to uphold the suspension. This led to the mayor and committee chairpersons being summoned to Harare to meet with Minister Garwe, where he reaffirmed his stance.
On Tuesday, a crucial full council meeting aimed at addressing Mr. Dube's suspension could not proceed due to a lack of quorum. Only five of the 11 elected councillors, along with three proportional representatives, attended, further heightening the tensions within the local government. The boycott by some councillors underscored the divisions, with the suspension issue remaining unresolved.
In a statement following the failed meeting, Minister Garwe reiterated the government's position, emphasizing the importance of unity and following due process. He noted that a meeting had already taken place between himself, the mayor, the deputy mayor, and the suspended town clerk, during which the reinstatement of Mr. Dube was agreed upon.
"They cannot defy this directive because it is now an order," Minister Garwe asserted, urging councillors to call a full council meeting to formalize the decision.
The government's intervention has sparked mixed reactions from Victoria Falls residents. While some support the directive, others have voiced frustration at the imposition, calling it an unwarranted interference in local governance. Last week, residents organized a meeting through the civic consortium, which includes the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (Vifacora) and Hwange District Residents Association (HWADRA).
During the gathering, residents resolved to oppose Mr. Dube's reinstatement and warned councillors of potential consequences if they followed the government's order. They have also called for Minister Garwe to visit Victoria Falls to address the community's concerns directly. In a show of defiance, residents threatened to stage demonstrations at the Victoria Falls City Council offices if their voices were ignored.
The situation remains tense as both government authorities and local stakeholders prepare for what could be a prolonged dispute over governance in the city.
Source - the chonicle
