The Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) has witnessed one of the most far-reaching reshuffles of senior staff at a time when President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s succession is taking centre stage, amid efforts to sideline his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga.
According to information obtained by The Standard, the reshuffle — which was communicated to the affected officers last Tuesday — impacted district intelligence officers, provincial intelligence officers, assistant directors, and deputy directors, among other senior positions.
The reshuffle marks former diplomat Paul Chikawa’s most extensive changes to the CIO since he was appointed in April to replace Fulton Mangwanya.
Mangwanya had replaced Isaac Moyo, who was appointed CIO head in 2017 following the military coup which ousted the late former president, Robert Mugabe.
The former Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) director-general lasted nearly 15 months as head of the spy agency and was removed at the height of infighting within Zanu PF over moves to extend Mnangagwa’s term.
District intelligence officers, provincial intelligence officers, assistant directors, and deputy directors that worked with Mangwanya were affected by the reshuffle.
Some were moved to the “pool”, where they no longer have specific duties.
Sources said although the sweeping changes were being attributed to Chikawa’s need to build his own team, Zanu PF power struggles had a bearing on the changes.
“Some of the affected directors, especially those who were moved to the pool, are being viewed as Mangwanya’s people,” a source said.
“However, the bigger picture is that it is part of moves to consolidate power following the constitutional amendments.”
Mnangagwa tightened his grip on power last month after he signed Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3 into law, which ensures that he will remain in power until 2030.
Observers said the suspension of elections for two years effectively removed Chiwenga from the succession race.
The changes in the top brass of the CIO will be keenly followed by those closely watching Zanu PF’s succession politics.
It has emerged that one of the biggest beneficiaries of the reshuffle was Rumbidzai Kanhukanwe, who rose from the position of assistant director to deputy director level.
In total, there are nine new deputy directors and 23 assistant directors following the reshuffle, a reliable source said.
Divisions that are now being headed by new deputy directors are internal (two deputy directors), external, economic intelligence, analysis and coordination, government protective inspectorate, wellness, investments and business development.
Mnangagwa has also systematically reshuffled the army since first assuming office in 2017, removing commanders and frequently rotating officers to prevent any single figure from building a power base.
Mnangagwa and Chiwenga were allies in the 2017 coup that ousted Mugabe.
Chiwenga, then army commander, used his military backing to install the president.
Analysts have said Mnangagwa’s military reshuffles, particularly the removal of figures allied with Chiwenga, were part of a calculated “coup-proofing” strategy.
In March 2025, Mnangagwa retired Lieutenant-General Anselom Sanyatwe as Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) commander and redeployed him as Sports minister.
The Sanyatwe removal occurred just days before the late war veteran Blessed Geza called for anti-government protests on March 31, 2025.
Mnangagwa also promoted Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Matatu, effective November 2025, to head the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) following the retirement of General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
He later appointed Major-General Asher Tapfumaneyi as the new ZNA commander.
Both Tapfumaneyi and Matutu are considered Mnangagwa's close military allies.
Tapfumaneyi was entrusted with the running of the controversial 2023 elections as CIO co-deputy director-general and head of the intelligence-run Forever Associates Zimbabwe (Faz).
The latest CIO reshuffle also came amid calls for a July 31 national shutdown in protest against Mnangagwa’s controversial term extension.
Observers have said the planned July 31 protests are expected to be a major test of the government's tolerance for dissent and the opposition's capacity to mobilise mass action in the face of sustained repression.
Human rights groups have called on authorities to respect the constitutional rights to assembly and expression, warning that further crackdowns could escalate tensions in an already volatile political climate.