In a surprising turn of events, the scheduled by-elections to replace the recently recalled councillors from the Four Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) in Victoria Falls have been called off. Four council members, namely Mthunzi Mpofu from Ward 9, Daniel Moyo from Ward 11, and the women’s quota representatives Mabukwana Ndlovu and Mariya Phiri, had been removed from their positions by the self-proclaimed CCC interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu, last month.
Tshabangu justified the recalls by claiming that the elected representatives were imposed on the electorate in the lead-up to the August 23 elections, and he believed it was necessary to restore constitutionalism within the CCC. However, in an unexpected twist, Tshabangu rescinded his earlier decision, prompting the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to announce the cancellation of the planned by-elections.
Originally slated for February 3, 2024, the by-elections were intended to fill the vacancies left by the recalled councillors. However, ZEC’s Chief Elections Officer, Utloile Silaigwana, confirmed in a statement released on Friday that the by-elections in Victoria Falls would no longer proceed.
“It is hereby notified that the advertised vacancies for the City of Victoria Falls wards 9 and 11 and the party list PR vacancies are no longer in existence following the recession of the recall of the incumbents by their sponsoring party.
“Accordingly, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission advises that all electoral processes in relation to the said advertised by-elections have been cancelled with immediate effect,” Silaigwana stated.
Victoria Falls, known for its breathtaking natural beauty and tourist attractions, currently has 11 elected councillors and three women’s quota councillors. The cancellation of the by-elections means that the quartet of councillors who faced recalls can now retain their positions.
While this unexpected development has brought relief to the affected councillors, it has also raised questions about the internal dynamics and decision-making processes within the CCC. The party’s interim secretary general initially deemed the recalls necessary, citing concerns about the manner in which the councillors were chosen. However, Tshabangu’s decision to reverse the recalls has left many wondering about the underlying reasons behind this sudden change of heart.
As the dust settles in Victoria Falls, residents and political observers will undoubtedly keep a watchful eye on the CCC and how this episode will impact the party’s operations moving forward. The cancellation of the by-elections may provide temporary respite for the four councillors, but it remains to be seen how this decision will shape the future of the CCC and its governance in Victoria Falls.
