THE Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe has ordered Victoria Falls City Council Mayor Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo to reverse the suspension of Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube with immediate effect.
The minister said the suspension was unprocedural.
Mr Dube was suspended on Monday last week on allegations of corruption and abuse of office, and councillors endorsed the suspension in a full council meeting the following day.
The City’s Mayor Cllr Thuso Moyo suspended Mr Dube through a letter dated December 2, 2024 and said he suspension was in terms of Section 29: (3) of the Urban Councils Act.
The letter was addressed to other councillors, District Development Coordinator’s office and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
It was meant to be for 14 days after which a decision was to be made based on findings of investigations into the allegations, Cllr Moyo had said.
The Mayor said he had received several complaints and allegations of abuse of office and corruption against Mr Dube about illegal allocation of land.
In a letter dated December 6, 2024 and addressed to the Mayor, Local Government and Public Works Minister Garwe said the suspension was not supported by any council policy and resolution in the interest of ratepayers.
The Minister ordered that the suspension be rescinded immediately.
“It has come to my attention that you suspended the Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube on 2 December 2024. On 3 December 2024 council convened a special full council meeting for ratification of the Town Clerk’s suspension.
“I have noted that the resolution which council made is not in line with Section 139 (4) of the Urban Councils Act by constituting two bodies of inquirywhich will financially prejudice council. The decision to pay the suspended Town Clerk allowances is also not supported by any council policy. I am therefore of the view that the resolution of Council is not in the interest of the inhabitants of the council area considered and or public interest who are the taxpayers of council,” said Minister Garwe.
He ordered a reversal of the suspension.
“With immediate effect i hereby in terms of Section 314 of the Urban Councils Act direct council to rescind the resolution made on 3 December regarding suspension of the Town Clerk,” said the Minister.
The issue has literally divided the local authority with a section of residents calling for action while others are concerned about interference into council operations by some residents.
Source: Government reverses 'unprocedural suspension' of Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube (07/12/24)
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