By Thulani Ncube | Nehanda Bulawayo Bureau |
VICTORIA FALLS – Two MDC-T officials were on Wednesday arrested for celebrating the party’s by-election victory in Ward 9 by driving through the area in a small convoy of cars. MDC-T Ward 11 councillor Edmore Zhou and chairman Bernard Nyamambi were arrested for alleged ‘public nuisance.’
The charge relates to their convoy of cars which drove through Ward 9 on Saturday. Nehanda Radio however understands that when the Zanu PF mayor was elected last month there was a convoy of over 20 cars including senior government officials – driving right through town – but no arrests were made.
The MDC-T received a much needed political lift after Somveli Dhlamini (MDC-T) won the Ward 9 by-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 (an employee of Transport and Infrastructure Development minister Obert Mpofu) 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.
