Harare – Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has fired Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Director General Fulton Mangwanya and replaced him with Paul Chikawa.
Mnangagwa did not give reasons for firing Mangwanya who was appointed recently in 20, however sources said intense fighting within the spy unit resulted in the change.
”In terms of Section 226(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has appointed Mr Paul Chikawa as the Director-General, President’s Department. The appointment is with immediate effect,” Martin Rushwaya the chief secretary to the cabinet said.
Chikawa was Deputy Director General CIO before his recent appointment. He is a former Zimbabwe ambassador to China.
Mangwanya was appointed CIO chief last year to replace Isaac Moyo.
Mnangagwa has been making various changes of security chiefs in recent years with some analysts saying it is a coup proofing measure.
Mnangagwa got into power in 2017 after a military coup that removed long ruling Robert Mugabe.
Deep divisions within the governing ZANU PF party are threatening stability as Mnangagwa supporters push to extend his rule from 2028 to 2030.
Another faction supports Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to replace Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa on Friday removed human rights commission chairperson, Jessie Majome and assigned her to the Public Service Commission as a Commissioner.
The move follows Majome’s criticism of the chaotic constitutional amendment bill public hearings at a press conference.