By Staff Reporter
VICTORIA FALLS – The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai received a much needed political lift on Saturday after winning the Victoria Falls council by-election for Ward 9.
Nehanda Radio understands Somveli Dhlamini (MDC-T) won the election with 238 votes beating Sambulo Mpofu (Zanu PF) 207, Atient Ncube (MDC-Ncube) 62 and White Julius Willard Phiri of Zapu who had 5 votes. There was a total of 6 spoilt ballot papers.
The council is under a Zanu PF mayor despite having won only three seats compared to the rival MDC-T seven seats in the July 31 elections. Three MDC-T councillors voted for a Zanu PF councillor in elections for the mayor.
Sifiso Mpofu of Zanu PF was elected mayor of Victoria Falls after garnering six votes ahead of Marguerite Varley (MDC-T) who had four. The MDC-T has since suspended three councillors it accuses of taking bribes to vote for Mpofu.
Meanwhile we understand the MDC-T will be conducting disciplinary hearings for its rebel councillors on Thursday. The three defied a party caucus directive to vote for an MDC-T candidate to be mayor for the popular tourist destination.
