Tonderai Mutasa of ZANU PF was officially sworn in as the new councillor for Ward 1 in Victoria Falls on Thursday.
Former CCC councillor Ephias Mambume, who had filed as an independent candidate, was disqualified from standing in the election following a legal challenge filed by Mutasa. The challenge was based on Mambume’s failure to settle unpaid council bills for over 120 days, which violated the eligibility requirements for election candidates. Mambume had been recalled by self-proclaimed party leader Sengezo Tshabangu.
The Electoral Court, led by Justice Bongani Ndlovu of the Bulawayo High Court, upheld the disqualification on November 18. The court’s ruling left Mutasa as the sole candidate for the by-election, which was initially scheduled for November 30. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) confirmed that Mutasa had been declared the winner, as there were no other valid candidates. A public notice from ZEC stated:
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“Since only one candidate, Mutasa Tonderai of ZANU PF, has been duly nominated for Victoria Falls municipality Ward 1, he has been duly elected as the councillor with effect from November 18, 2024.”
Mutasa was sworn in during a ceremony attended by the town clerk, Ronnie Dube.
Meanwhile, Mambume has vowed to challenge the disqualification in the Supreme Court. The Electoral Court’s decision was based on Mambume’s failure to pay outstanding council rates, which amounted to ZiG 103,039, US$7,127.50 for one stand, and US$5,160 for another property.
