ZAPU candidate for the Nkulumane parliamentary by-election, Vivian Viyo Siziba, has argued that widespread political fatigue and non-participation are directly crippling service delivery and enabling constitutional overreach. Speaking at a ‘Meet Your Candidate’ debate on Wednesday, Siziba painted a picture of a destructive cycle where residents demand better services but disengage from the very civic processes meant to hold leaders accountable. “Lack of participation kills us a lot,” Siziba told the audience at Nkulumane Hall.
The debate was organised by the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) in collaboration with the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), the Election Resource Centre (ERC), and the Nkulumane Constituency Development Committee. Siziba, a former School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson, cited his own experiences with poorly attended meetings, whether it be for schools or residents, as part of a national problem. He directly linked this apathy to the inability to secure vital local projects that communities depend on.
“Every election, we are told about Gwayi-Shangani Dam to address water. But there is Bopoma Dam, a medium-term solution to address water challenges in Bulawayo and there is no consideration or talk about it. So when going to vote, have these issues in mind,” he said.
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Siziba’s call to action was framed against a broader political threat and urged residents to demand “firm commitments to constitutionalism,” warning that its erosion directly impacts services. He singled out the debated Zanu PF proposal to extend presidential term limits to 2030. “Right now the talk is about the 2030 extension plan, where a possible majority will mutilate the constitution.
That will affect service delivery,” Siziba asserted. He argued that opposition voices become ineffective minorities precisely because of hesitant voters. To counter this, he said there is a need of consistent, courageous engagement, praising Matabeleland South Senator Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa for speaking out against an unsanctioned second border post manned by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) in Gwanda until it was addressed.
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