BEIJING – Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has fired Fulton Mangwanya as the Director-General of the country’s secret service organ, the Central Intelligence Organisation, following a nasty fallout.
According to insiders, Mangwanya was relieved of his duties over alleged nepotism and also falling out of favor with a faction backing Mnangagwa‘s term extension.
The axed secret service boss has since been replaced by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to China, Paul Chikawa.
Of the many allegations levelled against Mangwanya include taking his lover on official international trips with Mnangagwa and also hiring relatives for influential positions within the CIO arm.
Mangwanya was appointed director general of the Zimbabwe CIO on the 3rd of January 2025, replacing Isaac Moyo who had led the organ since December 2017 after the coup in November 2017.
Mnangagwa demotes Human Rights Commission chair
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has re-assigned Jessie Majome from the Human Rights Commission to the position of Commissioner in the Public Service Commission.
The news was announced via a letter dated 10th April 2026 authored by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya.
“In terms of Section 202 (1)(b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has re-assigned Ms Fungayi Jessie Majome from the position of the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to the position of Commissioner in the Public Service Commission.
“The re-assignment is with immediate effect,” the letter reads.
Majome’s demotion from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission comes barely a week after she released a damning report which condemned the consultation process of the infamous Constitutional Ammendment Bill 3 (CAB3) meant to extend Mnangagwa’s stay in office.
Majome pointed out the irregularities surrounding the process which included venue choices for the 90 day public consultation process and denial of contribution of thoughts for those opposed to the bill.
Mnangagwa is seeking to stay in office beyond 2028 when his term of office expires.
