ZAPU candidate for the Nkulumane parliamentary by-election, Vivian Viyo Siziba, has warned that widespread civic apathy and political fatigue are crippling service delivery and enabling constitutional overreach.
Speaking during a Meet Your Candidate debate Wednesday at Nkulumane Hall, Siziba said residents demanded better services while disengaging from civic processes meant to hold leaders accountable.
“Lack of participation kills us a lot,” Siziba told the audience.
The debate was organised by the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) in collaboration with the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, the Election Resource Centre and the Nkulumane Constituency Development Committee.
Siziba, a former school development committee chairperson, cited his experience with poorly attended school and residents’ meetings as evidence of a broader national problem, which he said weakened the communities’ ability to secure vital developmental projects.
“Every election, we are told about Gwayi-Shangani Dam to address water challenges. 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.
He framed his call for participation against what he described as growing political threats, urging residents to demand firm commitment to constitutionalism, warning that its erosion directly affected service delivery.
Siziba singled out Zanu PF’s proposal to extend the presidential term limit to 2030.
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“Right now, there is talk of a 2030 extension plan, where a possible majority could mutilate the Constitution. That will affect service delivery,” he said.
Siziba argued that opposition voices have been weakened by voter reluctance and disengagement, urging consistent and courageous participation. Siziba cited Matabeleland South Senator Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa’s stance against an unsanctioned second Zimbabwe Revenue Authirity border post in Gwanda as an example of how vocal representation can force accountability.
“The opposition becomes a minority because it is done by those who hesitate or are reluctant to vote” he said as he appealed to disillusioned voters".
“Nkulumane must reject term extension by voting, an election shows what people want, so people must express grievances in the ballot box.”
Siziba detailed the practical mechanics of participation, urging citizens to scrutinise public budgets and their representatives.
“Elected public office bearers, such as councillors and MPs, don’t use their own money to fix roads. You send them to see that money from government is used properly,” he said.
“We must stand up, rise up in resident meetings because that’s where you identify people who can represent you.”
He called for greater public attendance at budget meetings and insisted that MPs must prioritise health and service delivery funding in Parliament, highlighting the burden of high private healthcare costs on ordinary citizens.
“Recently a relative paid US$4 000 for an operation, which is a lot of money. Attend budget meetings, and in turn, the relevant portfolio hearings must go from place to place asking people what they want,” he concluded, framing informed voting and ongoing oversight as inseparable from the tangible improvement of daily
life.
Despite Siziba’s detailed policy critique and grassroots focus, some observers have claimed Zapu is not widely seen as a strong contender in the national landscape, a reality that underscores the voter resignation this candidate mentioned.
— CITE
