MRP challenges BAZ board over regional representation

The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has challenged the composition of the newly appointed Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) board, accusing Government of excluding Matabeleland and other non‑Shona linguistic communities from the national broadcasting regulator.


In a strongly worded statement dated 8 September, MRP president Mqondisi Moyo described the seven‑member board as an “all‑Shona” board and demanded an explanation from President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.

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

The MRP said the composition raised constitutional questions because, in its view, there was no visible representation from Matabeleland or other non‑Shona linguistic communities. “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 invoked Sections 6, 18 and 56 of the Constitution, arguing that the board should reflect Zimbabwe’s linguistic diversity, fair regional representation and the principle of equality and non‑discrimination.

MRP demanded clarity on what consideration was given to regional representation and linguistic diversity when the appointments were made. “Why does the announced board contain no apparent representative from Mthwakazi or other non‑Shona linguistic communities?” the party asked.

Moyo said the concern was not about the qualifications of individual board members but about the overall composition. “Merit and diversity are not opposing principles. A democratic State must be capable of achieving both.”

He said Zimbabwe had qualified professionals across all provinces and linguistic communities who could serve on national institutions. “No community has a monopoly on intelligence, professionalism or leadership,” he said.

The party rejected suggestions that its position was directed against Shona people. “We do not oppose the appointment of citizens because they are Shona. We oppose a system in which one community repeatedly appears disproportionately represented while other communities repeatedly struggle to gain access to national institutions.”

MRP said the issue was particularly important because BAZ regulates 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.

The party argued that broadcasting is tied to language, culture, identity, local content and access to information. It linked the appointments to its broader campaign for Mthwakazi self‑determination, saying continued perceptions of exclusion deepen political alienation. “Self‑determination is not born from hatred of another people. It is born from the repeated failure of a political system to make all its people feel equal,” Moyo said.

MRP has demanded a review of the board’s composition and called for transparent principles to ensure regional and linguistic diversity in future national appointments. It has requested a written response from the President, the Ministry and BAZ within 14 days.

“We do not want political rhetoric. We want answers. We do not want assurances. We want demonstrable compliance,” the party said.

Failure to respond, MRP warned, would lead it to pursue lawful democratic avenues, including engagement with Parliament, constitutional and legal mechanisms, civil society and human‑rights institutions.

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

The controversy comes as debates over regional representation, linguistic diversity and equitable distribution of public institutions continue to feature prominently in Zimbabwe’s political discourse.