Bulawayo legislators take up accountability challenge on air

ONLY three Bulawayo legislators — all from Zanu-PF — yesterday took up the accountability challenge and went on air to share their success stories.

This was after a city radio station, Skyz Metro, dared elected councillors and parliamentarians to go on air, face the people and account for the past five years they have spent in office.

Mpopoma-Pelandaba MP Cde Joseph Tshuma, Cde Godfrey Malaba from Pumula and Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo from Luveve were the first parliamentarians to brave the call.

These three are part of the five legislators who joined the current Parliament two years into its term after winning by-elections.

Skyz Metro station manager Mr Godwin Phiri said he was disappointed by the low turnout from politicians.

“We would have loved to have representatives from across the political divide but unfortunately all who came are from Zanu-PF. The discussion was very engaging; listeners called in and we are happy that at least the three were brave enough to face the people,” said Mr Phiri.

“The three gentlemen have only been in office for a short period compared to other MPs as their entry into Parliament was due to a by election”.

He encouraged other MPs and councillors to come forward and interact with the people who voted them into power.

In separate interviews, Cdes Tshuma and Malaba said the engagement was also a learning curve for residents who were not familiar with Parliamentary issues.

“One of my short term goals was to make sure we represent the people of Bulawayo in Parliament whose needs were often ignored. I remember there was a time when people were starving but the Government was distributing maize to rural folk. I stood my ground in Parliament and eventually people in Bulawayo started receiving food,” said Cde Tshuma.

“I also help residents do short term projects like welding, mushroom farming and painting to generate quick income. We also capacitated vendors while we wait for industries to open.”

Cde Tshuma said the greatest challenge was the unavailability of the Constituency Development Fund which hindered development in most communities.

“We are glad that those funds will be released this month and we will try to invest in income generating projects so that it goes a long way for my constituents. I also think people should be taught the role of legislators in their communities as many people think we always have to attend funerals and fix burst sewer systems,” he said. Pumula legislator Cde Godfrey Malaba said he was happy to have interacted with his constituents on air.

“As one of my good works, I managed to help the community have access to water and electricity especially those in Habek area where residents had gone for a long time without those facilities,” said Cde Malaba.

Skyz Metro FM has invited members of the National Assembly, Senators and councillors from the city to its station to explain what they have worked on in their areas since they were elected in 2013 after complaints by listeners during its Vuka Vuka Show hosted by Babongile Sikhonjwa from 6AM to 10AM.@ thamamoe .