Outrage as Supa, ZimPapers get radio licences

By Tererai Karimakwenda

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has been accused of awarding the country’s first independent radio broadcast licenses to organizations affiliated to ZANU PF. Allegations have also been made that the winning bidders were recruiting staff and buying equipment weeks before the results were announced.

At a press briefing in Harare on Thursday, BAZ chairman Tafataona Mahoso announced that Zimbabwe Newspapers’ Talk Radio and Supa Mandiwanzira’s AB Communications had been chosen for the two FM frequencies, from 15 applications.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa, who was at the press briefing, said waiting journalists had known for weeks who had been selected.

“Supa was already building studios at his new offices in Eastlea and has been recruiting management. We also understand that equipment was actually brought into the country, especially for Zimpapers, who will be operating from Herald House for now,” Muchemwa said.

Zimpapers are publishers of the daily Herald and the weekly Sunday Mail newspapers, which are “state run” newspapers and known as ZANU PF mouthpieces.

Former journalist and businessman Supa Mandiwanzira is behind AB Communications, now licensed as Zi Stereo FM, and a supporter of ZANU PF’s so-called youth “empowerment” group, Upfumi Kuvadiki. Our correspondent said Mandiwanzira was heard bragging that he would get the license because of what he has done for ZANU PF.

The BAZ announcement on Thursday was immediately dismissed by media groups and practitioners, who said the government is not being sincere about media reforms. In a statement, the media watchdog MISA Zimbabwe said:

“The licensing of Zimpapers Talk Radio is set to raise eyebrows on whether the radio station will truly be independent as stipulated under the African Charter on Broadcasting, considering that the government has a controlling stake in Zimpapers.”

The constitution of the current BAZ board also remains in contention, after being declared illegal by the Ministry of Information in 2009. MISA said the legality of the licenses issued is also likely to be contested. BAZ received a total of 15 applications but only four were shortlisted, and the authority gave no explanation as to why the other 11 were excluded. SW Radio Africa