Sibusiso Moyo Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Rtd. Lieutenant General
Sibusiso Moyo
Birth Place:Mberengwa, Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia and Nyasaland
Death Place:Harare, Zimbabwe
Alma Mater:University of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Open University
Office:Minister of Foreign Affairs
Term Start:30 November 2017
Term End:20 January 2021
President:Emmerson Mnangagwa
Predecessor:Walter Mzembi
Successor:Frederick Shava
Office1:Minister for International Trade
Term Start1:30 November 2017
Term End1:20 January 2021
President1:Emmerson Mnangagwa
Predecessor1:Walter Mzembi
Successor1:Frederick Shava
Allegiance: Zimbabwe
Serviceyears:1977–2017
Rank:Lieutenant General
Branch:Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (1977-1980)
Zimbabwe National Army (1980-2017)
Battles:Rhodesian Bush War

Sibusiso Busi Moyo (SB Moyo) (196020 January 2021) was a Zimbabwean politician and army Lieutenant general. He was noted for announcing the ousting of Robert Mugabe on national television during the 2017 Zimbabwean coup d'état. He went on to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in the cabinet of Emmerson Mnangagwa from November 2017 until his death.[1]

Early life

Moyo was born at Mnene Mission Hospital in Mberengwa in 1960. He was the third of eight children.[2] While studying at Manama Secondary School, he joined the liberation struggle in 1977.[2] He earned a Masters in International Relations and a PhD in International Relations from the University of Zimbabwe, as well as a Masters in Business Administration from the Zimbabwe Open University.[3]

Career

SB Moyo served as a major general in the Zimbabwe National Army, before being promoted to lieutenant general on retirement in December 2017.[4] He was promoted from brigadier general to major general by former President Robert Mugabe in January 2016.[5] [6]

Moyo gave a statement to state broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation on 15 November 2017, one day after the house arrest of Mugabe.[4] He denied that a coup had taken place, stating that "the president … and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed", and that the military were "only targeting criminals around [Mugabe] who are committing crimes... that are causing social and economic suffering in the country".[4] Moyo went on to confirm that "[a]s soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy."[7] Three days later, Moyo gave a vote of thanks to all Zimbabweans that marched in solidarity to remove Mugabe outside State House.[4] The announcement role he played in the army stepping in to remove Robert Mugabe as the president of Zimbabwe, coupled with his youthful appearance, earned him the sobriquet "General Bae".[2] [8]

Moyo was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on 30 November 2017 by Emmerson Mnangagwa, who replaced Mugabe as President of Zimbabwe.[9] He was one of three members of Mnangagwa's cabinet who was not a member of parliament (the others being Perrance Shiri and Kirsty Coventry).[10] Because of Moyo's public role in ending the Mugabe regime, there was speculation in the Zimbabwean press that Moyo was tapped by Mnangagwa as his successor.[11] Moyo was in attendance at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.[12]

Personal life

Moyo was married to Loice Matanda, a judge who also served as ZACC chairperson.[13] Together, they had two sons and 3 daughters.[14]

Moyo died of COVID-19 on 20 January 2021, at a local hospital in Harare.[15] [16] He was aged either 60 or 61.[17] [18] He was buried in the National Heroes' Acre.[19]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dzirutwe. MacDonald. Zimbabwe's foreign minister dies after contracting COVID-19. Yahoo! News. 20 January 2021. 20 January 2021.
  2. News: Meet Sibusiso B. Moyo…The man who read Mugabe the riot act. Tendai. Mugabe. 21 April 2018. 20 January 2021. The Herald. Harare.
  3. News: Nation in shock as Minister SB Moyo dies. 20 January 2021. 20 January 2021. The Sunday Mail. Harare.
  4. Web site: Zimbabwe crisis: Army takes over, says Mugabe is safe. BBC News. 15 November 2017.
  5. https://www.latestnewssouthafrica.com/2021/01/20/sibusiso-busi-moyo-death-cause-of-death-zimbabwes-foreign-minister-retired-army-major-general-dies/ Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister & Retired Army Major General Sibusiso Busi Moyo Is Dead
  6. News: Mugabe promotes 22 high ranking military officials, several linked to 2008 violence. New Zimbabwe Vision. 8 January 2016.
  7. News: Zimbabwe military's statement after seizing power. 14 November 2017. 20 January 2021. Reuters.
  8. News: Face of 2017 Zimbabwe Military 'Coup' Minister Sibusiso Moyo to Undergo 'Minor Medical Procedure'. 20 September 2018. 20 January 2021. VOA Zimbabwe. Voice of America.
  9. Web site: Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa gives key cabinet jobs to military figures. BBC News. 1 December 2017.
  10. News: Zimbabwe's president swears in first post-Mugabe cabinet. 4 December 2017. 20 January 2021. Associated Press News.
  11. News: Mnangagwa's Zimbabwe inches forward – but where is it headed?. Stephen. Chan. 3 May 2018. 20 January 2021. News24.
  12. News: UK, African ministers set to discuss Zimbabwe's possible readmittance to Commonwealth. 19 April 2018. 20 January 2021. Reuters.
  13. News: Zimbabwe vice president's wife arrested for suspected fraud, money laundering. 15 December 2019. 20 January 2021. Reuters.
  14. News: President mourns SB Moyo. Elita. Chikwati. 20 January 2021. 20 January 2021. The Herald. Harare.
  15. News: Zimbabwe's foreign minister dies of COVID-19. 20 January 2021. 20 January 2021. Al Jazeera.
  16. News: Sibusiso Moyo: Zimbabwe foreign minister dies from Covid-19. 20 January 2021. 20 January 2021. BBC News.
  17. News: Zimbabwe's foreign minister dies of COVID-19 amid resurgence. Farai. Mutsaka. 20 January 2021. 20 January 2021. Associated Press News.
  18. News: Zimbabwe's foreign minister dies after contracting COVID-19. 20 January 2021. 20 January 2021. Reuters.
  19. News: Mahlahla . Justin . 27 January 2021 . We will conquer covid-19, says Acting President Chiwenga at historic heroes' triple burial . ZBC News (Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation) . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127152537/https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/we-will-conquer-covid-19-says-acting-president-chiwenga-at-historic-heroes-triple-burial/ . 27 January 2021 . live .