Victoria Falls Deputy Mayor Defects to Zanu-PF, Triggers By-Election

Victoria Falls will hold a by-election on October 3, 2026, for Ward 3 after Deputy Mayor Lungile Nyoni resigned his seat. Nyoni, formerly of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), defected to the ruling Zanu PF party.

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I hereby advise that I am in receipt of a notice of vacancy in the office of Councillor for Ward Three, Victoria Falls City Council, previously held by Mr Lungile Nyoni.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced the by-election date and set September 2 for the nomination court. Nyoni's seat became vacant "by operation of law" after he left the CCC. Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe formalized the vacancy in a letter to the Victoria Falls City Council Town Clerk.

Nyoni, who was elected under the CCC banner, stated his decision to join Zanu-PF was driven by a desire to "contribute meaningfully towards the developmental agenda of our nation." He expressed regret over his previous political affiliation, calling the CCC a party that had "led me away from the Party that has remained the custodian of Zimbabwe's independence, sovereignty, and development."

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Mr Nyoni, who was elected under the banner of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has since resigned from the party and affiliated with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF).

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North chair Richard Moyo welcomed Nyoni's defection as a boost for Victoria Falls. This is the fourth Victoria Falls councillor to exit under recall provisions, following the earlier recalls of CCC councillors Mthunzi Mpofu (Ward 9), Nkanyiso Sibindi (Ward 10), and Daniel Moyo (Ward 11).

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I acknowledge that my political journey led me away from the Party that has remained the custodian of Zimbabwe's independence, sovereignty, and development. Looking back, I regret the choices that distanced me from a movement that has consistently demonstrated resilience and commitment to the welfare of the people.