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I’m still the boss: Vic Falls town clerk

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By NQOBANI NDLOVU VICTORIA Falls town clerk Ronnie Dube yesterday insisted that he remains the council boss, a day after reports emerged that he had been suspended on charges of corruption, abuse of office and incompetence. The suspension of Dube, a former chief executive of the Tsholotsho Rural District (RDC), comes a month after the […]

By NQOBANI NDLOVU

VICTORIA Falls town clerk Ronnie Dube yesterday insisted that he remains the council boss, a day after reports emerged that he had been suspended on charges of corruption, abuse of office and incompetence.

The suspension of Dube, a former chief executive of the Tsholotsho Rural District (RDC), comes a month after the local authority renewed his contract by another five years after receiving praise on his workmanship.

Under Dube, Victoria Falls was granted city status in December 2020 to become the first city in Matabeleland North and the second after Bulawayo in the whole southern region.

However, Victoria Falls mayor Somveli Dlamini said Dube has been suspended with immediate effect, and with no pay and benefits pending investigations.

“It appears to me there are acts of misconduct or omission inconsistent with the fulfilment of the express or implied conditions of your contract or duties that need to be investigated,” Dlamini wrote in a letter dated April 28.

“It is prudent that you are suspended from duty and office of town clerk to pave the way for investigations which when concluded will guide the council on the course of action to take.”

Dlamini cited section 139(3)(a) of the Urban Council Act in denying Dube any salary and benefits as stated in the contract.

In an interview yesterday, Dube was not amused by his “suspension” as he insisted that he remains the resort town’s town clerk.

“As far as I am concerned, the suspension I know of is that circulating on social media. I have not received any letter on that and such, I have disregarded the so-called suspension as I continue with my official duties. The mayor never convened any special council meeting on this so-called suspension. I remain the town clerk,” Dube said.

The Victoria Falls mayor could not be reached for comment.

Dube is not new to the Victoria Falls Municipality after having served as the town’s first chamber secretary between 2002 and 2005.

He rejoined the local authority on December 1, 2016 replacing Christopher Dube, the current Bulawayo town clerk. Dube also served as the Gwanda Municipality chamber secretary and left the Tsholotsho RDC under a cloud.

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