HARARE, Jun 3，2026 (NewsDay Live)-Munyaradzi Stephen Charangwa has resigned as National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) chief executive officer two months after assuming office.
In a statement, the NRZ board said Charangwa cited ill health as the reason for his resignation.
“The board of directors of NRZ wishes to inform the nation and valued stakeholders that Munyaradzi Stephen Charangwa has stepped down from his role as chief executive officer on medical grounds, effective immediately,” read the statement.
To ensure continuity at the parastatal, the board has appointed his deputy Ainah Dube-Kaguru as acting CEO while the process to recruit a substantive chief executive gets underway.
Charangwa assumed the role of substantive CEO on April 1, 2026 after serving as NRZ general manager.
In his new role, he was supposed to spearhead the recapitalisation and turnaround of the rail utility, which has battled years of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure and declining freight volumes.
His departure comes at a critical time when NRZ is pursuing a turnaround strategy focused on modernising infrastructure, increasing freight traffic and improving operational efficiency. In recent public remarks, Charangwa had outlined plans to shift more bulk cargo from road to rail as part of efforts to restore the rail operator’s financial viability.
NRZ board chairperson Misheck Sibanda has assured stakeholders that the organisation’s strategic direction remains unchanged despite the leadership transition.
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“The revitalization of rail operations, modernization of key infrastructure, and the execution of approved turnaround plans continue with the unshakeable mandate and backing of the shareholder.”
