The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation may well retain its dominance of the airways as the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) remains silent on applications for provincial commercial radio licences.
BAZ, which is headed by Tafataona Mahoso, who is also the chief executive of the Zimbabwe Media Commission, called for licence applications for 14 provincial commercial radio licences towards the end of 2011.
This was part of media reforms agreed upon by the coalition government in an attempt to break the monopoly of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, which is largely seen as a Zanu-PF propaganda machine.
But it has emerged that BAZ is mum on the adjudication process, with media activists and pressure groups contemplating court action to force the licensing body to speed up the licensing process.
In its call for applications, the corporation had said it would allocate a single-frequency licence each for Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Gwanda, Marondera, Lupane, Plumtree, Kariba, Victoria Falls and Beitbridge.
The call for applications came after the controversial licensing of two commercial stations, Star FM in June 2012 and ZiFM Stereo September 2012.
Star FM is wholly owned by Zimbabwe Newspapers Limited, in which Zanu-PF has a majority shareholding, and ZiFM Stereo is owned by journalist-turned businessman Supa Mandiwanzira who has indicated his interest in representing Zanu-PF in Nyanga in Manicaland in the upcoming general elections.
The deadline for the submission of applications for the provincial commercial radio stations was initially December 2011, but was later extended to January 2012 and then to February 2012.
Six applications were submitted – two from Harare, one from Bulawayo, one from Matabeleland North's Lupane district, one from Manicaland and another from Midlands.
BAZ chief executive Obert Muganyura did not respond to queries left with his secretary seeking clarification from his office about why there was silence surrounding the applications.
Zanu-PF
Players in the broadcasting industry told the Mail & Guardian that they strongly believe BAZ's silence is meant to ensure that the airwaves remained in the firm control of Zanu-PF until after the elections later this year.
Vivienne Marara, the director of the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations, said the deafening silence gave credence to assertions that the call for the 14 free-to-air provincial commercial licence applications was a facade to hoodwink citizens into believing that the regulatory authority was committed to diversifying the broadcasting arena.
"It would seem the call for licences was a tactic to pacify restive individuals, among them freedom of expression lobby groups that have been agitating for alternative voices," she said.
Nhlanhla Ngwenya, the director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa-Zimbabwe Chapter, said private stakeholders in the broadcasting sector were alarmed by BAZ's silence.
"It is patently clear that there is no desire or will to genuinely liberalise the airwaves to allow for the proliferation of diverse independent players ahead of elections so long as those charged with superintending over our airwaves feel threatened by free-flowing information.
"If ever there will be any changes to the status quo, these will be piecemeal and deceitfully implemented in such a manner that those aligned or sympathetic to Zanu-PF will get the licences. The past two years are testimony to this charade."
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has for the past two years demanded the reconstitution of the BAZ board, which, his party says, is packed with Zanu-PF loyalists.
In 2010, Cabinet gave Information Minister Webster Shamu a directive to regularise the appointment of the BAZ board, but nothing has come of the order.
Shamu, who is also the Zanu-PF national political commissar, was not immediately available to clarify why there has been no movement.
But in May last year he told the parliamentary portfolio committee on media, information and communication technology that he could not reconstitute BAZ and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings boards along political lines because of the principals' directive, but would follow what was stipulated in the Broadcasting Services Act.