Zimbabwe's newly appointed media minister on Thursday ordered the state broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) board to be dissolved, and its chief executive suspended, over delaying months of payment to its employees.

Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Jonathan Moyo said in a statement that the move was necessary to allow a probe of ZBC's challenges to proceed.

The state broadcaster, which dominates Zimbabwe's television and radio arena, has not been able to pay its employees for months, according to sources and local media reports. There are also allegations of ZBC managers enjoying a lavish lifestyle.

Moyo, appointed the media minister after veteran president Robert Mugabe won the July 31 election, ordered the broadcaster's chief executive officer Happison Muchechetere on pay leave. His vacancy was taken by ZBC Radio Services general manager Allan Chiweshe.

Zimbabwe's media sector is heavily polarized, with critics of the ruling Zanu-PF party calling for reforms particularly to open up the state-controlled airwaves. The authorities have been for years cracking down on pirate stations, confiscating short-wave radios used to receive signals of the overseas-based "hostile" stations.

The state news agency Ziana said ZBC's mess in recent months resulted in resignation by key staff, worsened by the establishment of two rival radio stations which has poached experienced ZBC staffers.

The quality of the state broadcaster, meanwhile, deteriorated as the challenges mounted.

Moyo said the decision to change management will facilitate the crafting and implementation of the long delayed turnaround strategy for the organization that has been negatively affecting the welfare of ZBC employees.

The statement also blamed ZBC's management of ignoring the ministry's order to submit a turnaround strategy plan in due time - - or two weeks. The media ministry said it received a formal letter from ZBC board chairman saying that they are not ready, prompting the minister to fire the board.

A ZBC staff said whether the old board stays or goes it should pay the staff's delayed salaries since May. Last month, ZBC staff even went on hunger strike to demand pay, a situation that embarrassed the state-controlled station.