SB Moyo: Mugabe coup anchor turned face of diplomacy BY MOSES MATENGA “We wish to assure the nation that His Excellency, the President Robert Gabriel Mugabe and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed,” these were some of the words from the then Major-General Sibusiso “SB” Moyo. On November 15, 2017, many Zimbabweans woke up to see a new television presenter dressed in military fatigue, tanks rolling on the street of the capital and the once feared Mugabe under house arrest. “We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes … that are causing social and economic suffering in the country. As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy,” Moyo added. Ambassador @PehrsonA and the Embassy of Sweden in #Zimbabwe express sincere condolences on the passing of Hon Minister SB Moyo to his family, friends and colleagues. https://t.co/mFFx2oh2Q5 - Sweden in Zimbabwe 🇸🇪 (@SwedeninZW) January 20, 2021 The “criminals” he referred to included former ministers Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere, Jonathan Moyo, Mandiitawepi Chimene, Patrick Zhuwao and Walter Mzembi, among others who were all part of a Zanu PF faction known as the G40 that had coalesced around Mugabe and his wife, former First Lady Grace. Ambassador Laurent Chevallier and the staff of the French Embassy in Zimbabwe are deeply saddened by the passing away of the Hon Foreign Minister, SB Moyo, today and express their deepest condolences to his family and friends. - France in Zimbabwe (@FranceZimbabwe) January 20, 2021 In September 2018, hardly a year after he announced a coup that led to the ouster of Mugabe, Moyo was rumoured dead. He was to be a victim of “fake news” but at that time, Moyo was visibly unwell amid speculation that he was poisoned in the internecine Zanu PF fights as he was touted as favourite to succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The Embassy of Italy in Zimbabwe and staff are deeply saddened by the loss of Minister of @MoFA_ZW, Mr SB Moyo. Ambassador Carlo Perrotta and the Embassy staff send their condolences, heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of @MinisterSBMoyo. pic.twitter.com/OWKrF7IzGl - Italy in Zimbabwe (@ItalyinZimbabwe) January 20, 2021 That’s how he was revered in Zimbabwe and Zanu PF politics, as a player for the top games with the capacity to lead the country at some stage. But death has snatched him and his growing political career at the age of 61. The career soldier became the face of the military coup with his booming voice that announced the ouster of Mugabe, making him an instant hero and at that time, no one thought he could be a face of Zimbabwean diplomacy. 1/3 Very sad news indeed about the passing away of @MinisterSBMoyo Hon SB Moyo. Zimbabwe has lost a professional Foreign Minister and @euinzim a great interlocutor. My sincere condolences go to family, friends and colleagues. @MoFA_ZW https://t.co/NuHk7AJpDG - Timo Olkkonen_EU (@TimoOlkkonen) January 20, 2021 He had been battling a kidney ailment requiring regular dialysis