The recall of three opposition councillors in Victoria Falls has sparked allegations from residents and civic groups that elected officials who challenge alleged corruption and poor service delivery are being systematically targeted.
Councillors Mthunzi Mpofu (Ward 9), Nkanyiso Sibindi (Ward 10) and Daniel Moyo (Ward 11), all elected under the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) banner, were recalled from office on Thursday.
Tensions erupted during a full council meeting when the councillors were informed of the decision. A video circulating on social media shows Cllr Sibindi confronting the Town Clerk and rejecting the recall before being escorted from the chamber by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said he could not immediately comment on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Our office is not privy to the information pertaining to that matter at the moment. You can either check with your sources or with the courts if there have been any developments,” said Banda.
The recalls have drawn criticism from residents and civic organisations, who argue that the move is intended to silence councillors who have been outspoken about alleged corruption within the local authority.
Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (VIFACORA) chairperson Kelvin Moyo said allegations of corruption, including irregular land allocations and tender processes, had plagued the city for years and were affecting service delivery.
“Our main concern as a city is that there is perennial corruption in council. It is bleeding council coffers. These issues of corruption are affecting service delivery,” said Moyo.
“A majority of our councillors are not firm enough to speak out against these corruption allegations. There are issues of illegal land sales and inappropriate allocation of tenders which are not being addressed.”
Moyo claimed the recalled councillors were among the few elected officials willing to challenge alleged wrongdoing.
“We expect our policymakers to speak out and demand services. The few that are vocal and firm enough are being targeted and recalled. The councillors that have been thrown out of office were never in the same basket of corruption; they have been fighting for better service delivery,” he said.
Civic activist Trymore Ndolo echoed similar concerns, alleging that governance and corruption challenges in the city had persisted for years without meaningful intervention.
“One of the greatest challenges is that our city is being run as a sole proprietorship by individuals who have money. Yesterday, before the recall, the councillors and their residents went to the full council expecting to move a motion for the mayor and his deputy to step down,” said Ndolo.
He alleged that financial influence had undermined accountability within the local authority.
“The city is not progressing at all. The problem is these individuals have money, so they can pay anyone that they want,” he said.
Ndolo said residents were becoming increasingly frustrated by what they viewed as a failure to address long-standing governance and land administration issues.
“For the past two decades, we have had serious land irregularities. These issues have persisted and people are losing confidence. Maybe we should try to have Zanu-PF councillors,” he said.
The recalls come amid growing scrutiny of governance and service delivery in Victoria Falls, with residents calling for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the city’s affairs.
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today
Leave a Reply