Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Leonard Ncube , [email protected]
VICTORIA Falls town clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube, has resumed his duties following a directive from the Government and a High Court ruling that barred any disciplinary action against him.
Mr Dube returned to work yesterday after Victoria Falls councillors reversed his suspension during a special council meeting last week.
His suspension, initiated on December 2 by the mayor, Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo, under Section 29(3) of the Urban Councils Act, was based on allegations of abuse of office and corruption.
However, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, declared the suspension non-procedural and not supported by policy. He instructed the council to rescind the decision and reinstate Mr Dube.
The reinstatement faced delays as successive council meetings failed to implement the directive. One meeting lacked a quorum, with only five of the 11 elected councillors present, while another could not address the issue due to the mayor’s absence, as he had the minister’s letter.
The matter was further complicated by divided opinions among residents, with some opposing Mr Dube’s reinstatement. This left councillors torn between adhering to the Government directive and addressing community concerns.
The council established two inquiry bodies to investigate the allegations against Mr Dube, recommending an internal disciplinary hearing. However, Mr Dube challenged the process in the High Court.
In a ruling under case number HCBC 1416/24, Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Naison Chivayo, interdicted the council and its representatives from proceeding with the inquiry until a review of the case was determined.
“Whereupon after reading documents filed of record and hearing parties, it is ordered that the second to fifth respondents be and are hereby interdicted from proceeding with the inquiry against the applicant pending the determination of the review undercover HCBC1414/24,” read the judgment.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Dube expressed his commitment to advancing council projects.
“I have started work and my focus is on completing projects that were outstanding in 2024. These include servicing the Woodroad area where we expect developers to update us by February so we can understand what remains to be done,” he said. The servicing of the Woodroad area involves connecting water, sewer reticulation and upgrading the road network.
Mr Dube highlighted that the council’s principal project for 2025 is the completion of water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, particularly the reservoir under construction to improve water pressure in Mkhosana and Chinotimba suburbs. The project includes both ground and elevated reservoirs.
He added that the council had submitted its 2025 budget to the Government for approval and was working to meet the stipulated requirements.
The council has allocated seven percent of the budget to sporting and recreational facilities as directed by the Government and is developing designs for Chinotimba Stadium. — @ncubeleon
