Victoria Falls Mayor faces ouster bid

Victoria Falls mayor Prince Thuso Moyo is facing a fresh no-confidence motion amid growing divisions within the city council, with deputy mayor Lungile Nyoni and Zanu PF councillors pushing for his removal.

The motion, tabled during a full council meeting on Tuesday evening by Ward 10 councillor Thindolie Sibanda and seconded by Ward 9 councillor Tapiwa Sibanda, accuses Moyo of gross misconduct, incompetence and violating council procedures and the law.

The meeting, however, descended into chaos after town clerk Ronnie Dube ruled that the motion was unprocedural and could not be considered because it had not been submitted within the required timeframe for inclusion on the agenda.

Nyoni, a former opposition CCC councillor, defected to Zanu PF in June following a vote-of-no-confidence motion against him a month earlier. He had faced criticism over his involvement in the suspension of Dube and allegations that he had collected money from residents after promising to facilitate land allocations.

Moyo, who was elected mayor in September 2023, remains a CCC councillor representing Ward 7. Nyoni, who previously served alongside him in the CCC, is now working with Zanu PF Hwange District Coordinating Committee chairman Matthew Muleya in efforts to remove the mayor.

Zanu PF has six councillors in the 14-member council and has been unable to secure sufficient support to pass the motion against Moyo.

The motion accuses Moyo of failing to attend important government engagements and alleged that he withdrew travel and subsistence allowances from council funds despite not attending official duties.

"The mayor has not been attending official Government duties after withdrawing Travel and Subsistence allowances from council coffers, a matter reported at Victoria Falls Police Station under case numbers RRB 6668771 and CR17/04/26," the motion states.

"While the criminal investigation is still pending finalisation, I humbly submit that this conduct has put the council's name into disrepute, and the money taken has not been recovered."

Councillors also accused Moyo of failing to participate in council committees where he serves as an ex-officio member, arguing that his absence had weakened oversight and contributed to what they described as poor decisions, including those relating to land allocation.

The motion further raises the controversial December 2024 suspension of Dube, which was effected by Moyo and Nyoni while Nyoni was still serving as deputy mayor. The suspension followed allegations of corruption and abuse of office against the town clerk.

The dispute subsequently divided council and resulted in Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe directing councillors to rescind the suspension. According to the motion, council incurred costs through continued payment of Dube's salary during the suspension and a US$2,000 payment to an investigating committee.

The councillors further alleged that Moyo had lost their confidence and had failed to uphold the responsibilities attached to his office.

"Overall, the mayor has wilfully violated his oath of office and has brazenly violated the law as outlined herein," the motion stated.

However, Dube rejected the motion on procedural grounds.

In an internal memo dated September 30 and addressed to Thindolie Sibanda, with copies to Moyo and Nyoni, Dube said the motion had not been submitted within the prescribed period to allow it to be placed on the council agenda.

He also said the motion had not been properly seconded in accordance with council procedures and the law.

Dube further noted that because the motions sought to remove councillors from office, he did not have jurisdiction to determine the matter and would refer the issue to the responsible minister.

The council meeting was subsequently called off amid heated exchanges, disruptions and divisions among councillors, leaving the latest attempt to remove Moyo unresolved.