Maybe You just don't understand the term "shadowban" then? Because that's exactly what this is - being allowed to post, but essentially not being allowed to post, tricked into "yeah, this definitely works", while it doesn't and nobody can see your comments. Just because I don't see my messages either, I'm just even more dissapointed, because the site keeps gaslighting me into some illusion that my comments just need to be approved (and if they can't be approved after 8 months, then how is it different from a shadowban?).
"Anyway, is the rate button disabled too, if your comments are held in moderation?"
No, but rating by itself removes the "discussion" part of a comment section, which I believe to be the most engaging and helpful. Seeing what others say, people replying to criticism and providing different points of view.