Ex-Victoria Falls councillor alleges political witch-hunt

Former Victoria Falls Ward 10 councillor Nkanyiso Sibindi has accused the city's mayor and town clerk of abusing the criminal justice system to settle political scores following his acquittal on malicious damage to property charges.

Sibindi was recently cleared of allegations that he damaged a council laptop valued at US$975 during chaotic scenes at a council meeting on June 4, 2026, when his recall, together with that of two other councillors, was announced.

He denied the allegations throughout the proceedings and said his arrest was politically motivated and linked to internal power struggles within the City of Victoria Falls.

"When I was charged, my feeling was that this issue was politically motivated. However, not the politics of Zanu-PF, but the politics of the city of Victoria Falls," Sibindi said.

He alleged that town clerk Ronnie Dube and Mayor Prince Thuso Moyo were behind efforts to remove him from the political scene.

Sibindi said his acquittal had restored his confidence in the judiciary after he initially lost faith in the justice system.

"I did not have trust in the judiciary system," he said. "However, after I was acquitted, that is when I saw that I have to trust the judiciary system, especially in Victoria Falls."

He linked his arrest to a broader dispute that emerged after councillors initiated a motion of no confidence against Moyo, who he alleged subsequently travelled to Harare to pursue recall letters.

Sibindi also accused Moyo of exceeding his responsibilities by conducting himself more like a manager than an elected councillor.

Moyo dismissed the allegations, saying the former councillors remained his friends despite the political disagreements.

"The trio of councillors are my friends at personal level and specifically Nkanyiso Sibindi," Moyo said.

"We came from a long way. We were elected together in 2018 as youth councillors. I am not fighting them in any way."

However, Moyo said Sibindi's conduct within party structures contributed to his recall, adding that councillor recalls had taken place across the country.

Sibindi's recall triggered a by-election on August 1, 2026, in which Zanu-PF candidates won all three contested municipal wards.

In Ward 9, Tapiwa Kwendu Sibanda won with 287 votes, while Thindolie Sibanda secured Ward 10 with 291 votes. Sibindi, who contested the Ward 10 election as an independent candidate, received 174 votes.

George Mhlanga won Ward 11 with 736 votes.

Progressive Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association chairperson Misheck Munsaka questioned the recalls, saying the lack of clear reasons for removing the councillors was concerning.

"I am one person who did not support the recalls, especially with the lack of reasons for the recalls," Munsaka said.

"It's a pity when we see the abuse of powers by those in authority. I feel there's something big brewing behind the scenes."

Munsaka attributed Sibindi's by-election defeat to poor voter mobilisation rather than outright rejection by residents, while commending Zanu-PF supporters for what he described as their resilience and discipline.

The dispute has raised broader questions about transparency and accountability in Victoria Falls, one of Zimbabwe's major tourism destinations, with residents' groups calling for greater consultation and accountability when elected councillors are recalled.