President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed the Director-General of Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), Fulton Mangwanya, with immediate effect, according to a memo from the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet.
Mangwanya’s removal follows reports of internal tensions within the president’s inner circle.
Sources cited allegations of infighting as well as claims of misconduct, including accusations of nepotism involving the appointment of relatives to influential roles within the organisation.
Additional unverified allegations suggested possible abuse of office related to official travel arrangements. These claims have not been independently confirmed.
He has been replaced by Paul Chikawa, a senior diplomat who is currently serving as Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Cuba and previously held the same post in China.
Chikawa is also reported to have longstanding experience within the CIO.
The presidency has not publicly detailed the reasons for the leadership change.
Analysts say such reshuffles are not uncommon in Zimbabwe’s security sector, where leadership changes are often closely tied to political dynamics within the ruling establishment.
