Confusion has rocked the MDC-led Victoria Falls Municipality after Councillors decided to elect a new Mayor despite the recent decision by the parent ministry to reinstate the former Mayor Somvelo Dlamini as ward 9 Councillor.
Barely a week after the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works informed the Victoria Falls Municipality of the reinstatement of former Mayor Somvelo Dlamini, the Victoria Falls Council on Thursday conducted elections which saw ward 5 Councilor Rich Mguni being voted the new Mayor of the resort town.
While acknowledging the decision by the parent Ministry to reinstate Dlamini, the Councillors say they had to conduct the elections on the basis that the former mayor sometime in March tendered a resignation letter.
The elections saw Mguni registering 6 votes while the other nominee Patricia Mwale secured 4 votes.
In his acceptance speech Councillor, Mguni pledged to contribute to the transformation of the resort town.
“I pledge to be at your service as we work together to develop smart Victoria Falls. I bring to you a leadership style that embraces equality and diversity, “he said
Meanwhile, Dlamini who did not attend the meeting has described the election as null and void.
According to the recently reinstated Councillor, he has since resumed his duties as Mayor and dismissed suggestions that he had resigned.
“As far as l am concerned l am still the Mayor of Victoria Falls and what l can tell you is what transpired today is a nullity and illegal move. I will carry on with my duties and pledge to serve the residents of this border town,” said Dlamini.
The MDC-T Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora recently informed the parent ministry that the party had reversed Dlamini’s recall.
The move prompted the Ministry to reverse the dismissal letter which was issued to Dlamini on the 25th of March.
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa had expelled Dlamini from the party and recalled him as Councilor for Ward 9.
Following the court ruling which reinstated the MDC’s 2014 structures, the new leadership has taken a decision to reinstate all mayors who were fired by Chamisa.
-State Media