HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sacked Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Director-General Fulton Mangwanya with immediate effect and appointed senior diplomat Paul Chikawa as the new head of the President’s Department, in a major shake-up of Zimbabwe’s intelligence leadership.
The appointment was confirmed in an official government statement issued on Friday, 10 April 2026, by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Martin Rushwaya, acting under Section 226(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
The statement reads: “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 changes take immediate effect, with no official reason given for the dismissal of Mangwanya, who had served in the post for approximately 15 months.
Mangwanya removed after 15 months in office
Fulton Mangwanya’s sudden removal has sparked widespread political speculation, particularly given the sensitivity of the CIO’s role in national security and internal intelligence operations.
While the government statement was silent on the reasons for his dismissal, journalist Hopewell Chin’ono reported that Mangwanya’s exit followed internal tensions within the presidency’s security architecture, alongside allegations of misconduct and nepotism.
Chin’ono wrote on X: “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 alleged that Mangwanya’s tenure had been marked by internal friction and complaints from senior officials over alleged abuse of office, including claims of favouritism in appointments and controversial use of official travel.
Mangwanya was appointed in January 2025, making his tenure one of the shortest for a CIO chief in recent years.
Paul Chikawa appointed to key security-adjacent role
Chikawa, who replaces Mangwanya, is a senior Zimbabwean diplomat with extensive experience in bilateral and multilateral relations, particularly across Asia and the Caribbean.
He has held several ambassadorial roles and is widely regarded as a key figure in advancing Zimbabwe’s “open for business” foreign policy strategy.
Diplomatic career and global postings
As of mid-2025, Chikawa was serving as Zimbabwe’s recalled Ambassador to Cuba, and also held accreditation as Non-Resident Ambassador to Suriname. During his tenure in the Caribbean, he was commended for strengthening Zimbabwe’s engagement with CARICOM member states and advancing cooperation in trade and development.
In June 2024, he was received as Ambassador-designate to Jamaica, a posting that coincided with the 44th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and Jamaica.
In August 2024, Chikawa presented his credentials to the President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, where he reiterated Zimbabwe’s “open for business” policy under President Mnangagwa, with particular emphasis on agricultural cooperation and investment.
China posting and “Look East” diplomacy
Prior to his Caribbean assignments, Chikawa served as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to China, where he played a prominent role in advancing the country’s “Look East Policy”.
During his tenure in Beijing, he focused on strengthening economic cooperation, promoting agricultural modernisation, and expanding educational and technical exchange programmes between Zimbabwe and China.
He was widely associated with efforts to deepen trade relations and attract infrastructure and industrial investment from Chinese partners.
Focus on development-oriented diplomacy
Throughout his diplomatic career, Chikawa has been known for advocating practical, development-focused diplomacy aimed at generating employment, boosting economic growth, and strengthening bilateral partnerships.
His appointment to the President’s Department signals a notable shift, placing a seasoned foreign service diplomat at the centre of Zimbabwe’s internal intelligence and security coordination framework.
No official explanation
Despite the significance of the reshuffle, the Office of the President and Cabinet did not provide an official explanation for Mangwanya’s removal, a practice often observed in high-level security and intelligence changes.
The move is expected to fuel further political debate, particularly given ongoing tensions within the ruling establishment and heightened scrutiny of internal governance and security structures.
As Zimbabwe navigates a politically sensitive period marked by constitutional debates and institutional reforms, the appointment of Chikawa is likely to be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
