Mnangagwa Fires CIO Director
President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has fired Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Director-General Fulton Mangwanya with immediate effect and appointed Paul Chikawa as the new Director-General of the President’s Department, according to a government statement issued on 10 April 2026.
The announcement, issued by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr. Martin Rushwaya on Friday, 10 April 2026, confirmed the immediate appointment of Chikawa under Section 226(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
In the official press statement, the Office of the President and Cabinet said:
“Paul Chikawa has been appointed as the Director General of the President’s Department in Zimbabwe, effective immediately. The appointment was made under Section 226(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.”
The statement was signed and issued by Dr. Martin Rushwaya, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, on 10 April 2026.
Mangwanya Fired After About 15 Months
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono reported that Fulton Mangwanya had been removed from his position with immediate effect after serving for approximately 15 months.
Posting on X on 10 April 2026, Hopewell Chin’ono wrote:
“The Director-General of Zimbabwe’s secret service, the Central Intelligence Organisation, Fulton Mangwanya, has been fired with immediate effect by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
He further added:
“Mangwanya is reported to have been removed following intense infighting within the inner circle of Mnangagwa’s government. He has also faced allegations of nepotism, including claims that he hired relatives and placed them in influential positions within the organisation.”
Chin’ono also claimed:
“Further allegations suggest that he took a woman believed to be his lover on official international trips alongside the president and senior directors were quietly complaining about the alleged abuse of office.”
According to Hopewell Chin’ono, Mangwanya had been appointed Director-General in January 2025 and was dismissed on 10 April 2026.
Paul Chikawa Steps In
Hopewell Chin’ono also reported that Paul Chikawa, who replaces Mangwanya, had previously held several senior roles.
He wrote:
“Paul Chikawa was Deputy Director-General before this appointment, and prior to that he served as Zimbabwe’s ambassador to China and to Cuba.”
The appointment comes into effect immediately, according to the official government statement released on Friday evening.
No official reason for Mangwanya’s removal was provided in the government statement issued by the Office of the President and Cabinet.
The post Mnangagwa Fires CIO Director Fulton Mangwanya, Appoints Paul Chikawa appeared first on iHarare News.
