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.
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.
“The opposition becomes a minority because it is done by those who hesitate or reluctant to vote” he said in an appeal 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 also detailed the practical mechanics of participation, urging citizens to scrutinise public budgets and their representatives.
“Elected public bearers, such as councillors and MPs, don’t use their own money to fix roads. You send them to see that money from the 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 critiques 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 very voter resignation this candidate mentioned.
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