Concern as Moyo warmly welcomed back into ZANU PF inner circle

By Alex Bell
14 December 2009

Concern has been raised about the reaction to ZANU PF’s appointment of media oppressor Jonathan Moyo to the party’s Central Committee, after delegates at the party’s congress gave him a standing ovation over the weekend.

Moyo received the longest and loudest round of applause from delegates when members of the Central Committee were announced at the end of the congress on Saturday. All 10 000 delegates stood up when Moyo’s name was announced, while Robert Mugabe quietly smiled to see his former propaganda master back in the party’s inner sanctum.

The reaction has been described by observers as a worrying sign, as Moyo was the party’s chief spin-doctor before he was unceremoniously booted from his position in 2005. His fallout with the party followed his registration as an independent candidate for the legislative elections in the
Tsholotsho Constituency in March 2005. This was openly defiant of ZANU PF who had reserved the post for a female candidate. Moyo was also fingered as the architect of the so-called ‘Tsholotsho Declaration’ in 2004, which sought to plot ZANU PF leadership changes. He then underwent a curious transition to become a stern critic of Mugabe’s regime, a transition that has since been reversed in order to rejoin the ZANU PF ranks.

But it was Moyo’s actions during his tenure as Minister of Information that have observers worried, as he was the architect of strict media laws that silenced the country’s independent media and ensured that no independent broadcasters could ever exist. During his tenure Parliament enacted the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (Commercialisation Act). These led to the harassment of journalists, the expulsion of foreign correspondents, the closure of newspapers, including the Daily News, and the closure of Zimbabwe’s first and only independent radio station, Capital Radio.

His reinstatement to ZANU PF’s top structures, and the party’s welcome reception, is therefore a concerning move for the future of media in Zimbabwe. Some analysts have argued it is his ‘masterful’ propaganda skills that are needed to rejuvenate ZANU PF, which is beset by open division and infighting, ahead of unconfirmed national elections. Other commentators have further argued that Moyo’s reinstatement is a clear sign from Mugabe that he has no intention on following through on promises made in the Global Political Agreement (GPA), which include freeing the media space.

Loughty Dube, the chairman of media advocacy group MISA-Zimbabwe, told SW Radio Africa on Monday that the independent media fraternity is right to be concerned about Moyo’s return. Dube questioned why ZANU PF would be so welcome of his return, given his former criticism of the party, saying it is “a possible indication that ZANU PF does not want real media reform.” Dube added that his reinstatement is also likely linked to Mugabe’s repeated calls for ZANU PF to prepare for elections, given Moyo’s influential role in ZANU PF’s 2000 election campaign.

Dube continued that, although Moyo does not yet wield much power within the media space it is likely that he will eventually be pushed into a commission where his influence will be felt. Dube explained this is incredibly concerning for the media fraternity, which suffered immeasurably because of Moyo’s media laws.

“After everything that has happened to media in Zimbabwe, mostly because of people like Moyo, it is very worrying for the media to see him come back,” Dube said.

Meanwhile there has been no clarification about what happens to Moyo’s seat as an independently elected MP, as he has now crossed the political floor back to ZANU PF. There has been talk that a new legislative election within his Tsholotsho North constituency needs to get underway, but there has been no move in this direction. Some observers have argued that welcoming Moyo back is a strategic move by ZANU PF to secure the Tsholotsho North constituency’s vote come election time.