MRP challenges BAZ board over regional representation

By Staff Reporter

The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has challenged the composition of the newly appointed Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) board, arguing that it does not adequately reflect Zimbabwe’s regional and linguistic diversity.

In a statement dated September 8, MRP president Mqondisi Moyo questioned the absence of what he described as visible representation from Matabeleland and other non-Shona-speaking communities on the seven-member board.

The Government announced on September 4 that Tendai Jennifer Mandizvidza, Godfrey Mutobaya, Magna Mudyiwa, Caroline Makoni, Cloud Nyamundanda, Vengai Rushwaya (Chief Serima) and Prime Kufakunesu had been appointed to serve a four-year term.

MRP said the appointments raised constitutional concerns, particularly in relation to Sections 6, 18 and 56 of the Constitution, which deal with language, equitable representation, equality and non-discrimination.

“This is not an objection to any individual merely because of his or her ethnic or linguistic identity,” Moyo said.

“It is an objection to an institutional composition which, on its face, appears to exclude the very regional and linguistic diversity that a national broadcasting regulator is expected to serve.”

The party called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services to explain how regional and linguistic diversity was considered during the appointment process.

MRP also questioned why there was no apparent representative from Mthwakazi or other non-Shona linguistic communities on the board.

Moyo stressed that the party's concerns were about the composition of the board rather than the qualifications of individual appointees.

“Merit and diversity are not opposing principles. A democratic State must be capable of achieving both,” he said.

He argued that Zimbabwe had qualified professionals across its provinces and linguistic communities who could serve on national institutions.

“No community has a monopoly on intelligence, professionalism or leadership,” Moyo said.

MRP also rejected claims that its position was directed against Shona people, saying its objection was to what it described as the repeated disproportionate representation of one community in national institutions.

The party said the issue was particularly important because BAZ oversees key aspects of Zimbabwe's broadcasting sector, including licensing, frequency management and broadcasting standards.

“A national broadcasting authority cannot be treated as the property of one language, one region or one political establishment,” Moyo said.

MRP linked the issue to broader concerns over language, culture, identity and access to information, arguing that perceived exclusion from national institutions could contribute to political alienation.

The party said it had requested a review of the board's composition and called for transparent criteria that would promote regional and linguistic diversity in future national appointments.

MRP has given the President, the ministry and BAZ 14 days to provide a written response.

The party said failure to receive a satisfactory response would result in it pursuing what it described as lawful democratic avenues, including engagement with Parliament, constitutional and legal institutions, civil society organisations and human-rights bodies.

“Our position is simple: no community should be excluded — and no community should have a monopoly on national institutions,” Moyo said.

The dispute adds to ongoing national debates over regional representation, linguistic diversity and equitable participation in Zimbabwe's public institutions.

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