This is the biography of Zimbabwe’s disgraced former Minister of Health and Child Care, Obadiah Moyo.
Early Life
Obadiah Moyo was born in Gutu. He was known locally as DJ The Mighty Biscuit in his youth. Obadiah Moyo’s educational background is a subject of controversy. There have been persistent complaints and allegations that he is an academic imposter, claiming that he faked his medical qualifications and that he is not a medical doctor as he claims to be. These allegations were part of the broader issues that marred his tenure as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health.
Obadiah Moyo Public And Political Career
Moyo was once the Executive Director of The Zimbabwe Kidney Fund Association’s Renal Services, where he worked to bring more dialysis machines to hospitals. He provided dialysis care for Sally Mugabe, Robert Mugabe’s first wife, when she battled renal disease. In 2005, Moyo was appointed as the chief executive officer of Chitungwiza Central Hospital, a position he held until 2018.
Obadiah Moyo Biography [Image: ZimLive]
In the political arena, Moyo is a member of Zanu-PF. He ran for parliament in 2018 in the Zengeza East constituency but was not successful. Prior to that, he had run for election in 2005 as the representative for Nkayi but did not win. Moyo was appointed as the Minister of Health and Child Care in September 2018 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. He faced challenges such as a cholera outbreak and doctor strikes during his tenure.
However, Moyo’s tenure as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health was marred by allegations of being an academic imposter and faking his medical qualifications. In June 2020, he was arrested for corruption and abuse of office, charged with illegally awarding US$60 million in contracts for COVID-19 testing materials and equipment without a competitive tender process. He was removed from office on 7 July 2020 but was later acquitted of the charges in October 2021.
Obadiah Moyo Personal Life
Obadiah Moyo is married to Lucy Memory, and they have four children together. Musician Shashl is his daughter.
Obadiah Moyo Biography [Image: ZimLive]
References
- Zimbabwe’s health minister granted bail in $60m corruption case – Al Jazeera
- Zimbabwe health minister facing coronavirus corruption charge sacked – The Guardian
