A report from the United Kingdom-based investigative publication <a href="https://dugup.substack.com/p/diplomacy-paranoia-and-propaganda?selection=4ef7164b-a821-432d-a7f7-fca97401a774#:~:text=As%20early%20as%202020%2C%20ED%20received%20reports%20that%20claimed%20Moyo%20was%20a%20nice%20but%20ineffective%20DG">Dug Up</a> has claimed that Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) considered eliminating opposition leader Nelson Chamisa in 2020, with the plan to frame the death as a consequence of the coronavirus.
According to the report, Chamisa, who narrowly lost the 2018 presidential election to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was identified by CIO operatives as the primary threat to ZANU PF’s long-standing grip on power.
The report also alleges a plot within the agency to have former CIO Director-General Isaac Moyo removed from his post in 2020, just over two years after his appointment by Mnangagwa.
Moyo, who had previously served as Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa, was reportedly seen as more of a diplomat than an intelligence operative.
According to the Dug Up report, Moyo’s subordinates advised Mnangagwa that his leadership of the CIO could jeopardize his presidency, and suggested that Moyo be relieved of his duties.
The report further claims that Moyo was criticized for his refusal to authorize the elimination of Chamisa and other political figures deemed “problematic”.
He was described by some within the agency as “too nice” to lead the CIO. Reads part of the report:
<blockquote>
As early as 2020, Mnangagwa received reports that claimed Moyo was a nice but ineffective DG. One such report, dated February 15, 2021, claimed Moyo had turned down two projects/operations that suggested using the COVID-19 pandemic as a smokescreen to kill opposition candidates including Nelson Chamisa.
Dug Up understands the proposal came from the operative division of the CIO and suggested that the elimination of opposition actors could be hidden behind the pandemic.
The DG refused to authorise the operations. His juniors wrote a report saying he was too nice to lead the CIO.
Moyo found out and in a heated internal JOC meeting blasted his juniors. Provincial directors who sat in that meeting told Dug Up it was explosive and Isaac’s deputies flat out told him “You are not an Operative.”
</blockquote>
According to Dug UP, amongst many reforms Moyo brought to the CIO, operatives reportedly did not take kindly to him demanding that they surrender their identity cards before knocking off to reduce cases of abuse.
Moyo is also reported to have demanded reports for any case of excess force and barred the carrying of weapons.
In January 2025, Mnangagwa removed Moyo from his post and replaced him with Fulton Mangwanya, who had been the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management’s director-general since August 1, 2017.

Pindula News

The report claims the CIO in Zimbabwe wanted to eliminate opposition leader Chamisa and blame it on COVID-19. Chamisa lost the 2018 election to President Mnangagwa. The report says former CIO Director-General Moyo was too nice for the job and refused to authorize operations to kill political figures. Mnangagwa removed Moyo in 2025 and replaced him. Moyo made reforms in the CIO like reducing abuse cases and banning weapons. The CIO operatives didn't like Moyo's changes.

CIO Plotted To Eliminate Chamisa And Frame It As COVID-19 Death, Report Claims

A prominent member of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) in Mpandawana, Gutu, Masvingo Province, died in a car accident on Wednesday morning.
As reported by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/prominent-gutu-cio-operative-perishes-in-crash/">The Herald</a>, Gilbert Mhere (37), was driving along the Gutu-Roy highway when his silver Toyota Hilux Reno veered off the road and overturned several times.
Mhere sustained deep cuts on the head and died instantly after his vehicle overturned at the 52 km-peg, before landing on its wheels.
He was alone and driving towards Roy Business Centre when the accident happened.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesman in Masvingo Province, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, confirmed the accident, saying investigations are underway to establish the cause of the accident. He said:
<blockquote>
The deceased, who worked in the President’s Department in Gutu, sustained head injuries and died on the spot. His body was taken to Gutu Mission Hospital mortuary.
</blockquote>
According to <a href="https://x.com/TheMirrorMsv/status/1795792665654509717">The Mirror</a>, Mhere will be remembered for storming Chatsworth Clinic on November 8, 2023, and assaulting Patrick Chimbare, a CCC activist admitted at the centre.
He allegedly forced the Police to handcuff Chimbare while in the clinic.
The Mirror reported that Chimbare made a Police report against Mhere and John Paradza’s campaigning manager Martin Nyikayaramba but Gutu Police has to date not taken any action.
Paradza is the Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, ZANU PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs and Gutu West Member of Parliament.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Feared Gutu CIO Operative Dies In Car Crash

A senior Zimbabwean Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Close Security Unit officer, Andrew Chitungo has died, reported <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsHawksLive/status/1666033511860523008?s=20">The NewsHawks</a>.
According to the publication, Chitungo served under the late President Robert Mugabe for years, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, and later President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
He reportedly died on Friday at West End Hospital after he was admitted to the medical facility on Wednesday complaining about breathing problems and losing energy.
Chitungo was removed from Mnangagwa’s close security team last year after a recorded call with independent Norton MP Temba Mliswa and former Energy minister Fortune Chasi in which he uttered the words “Bishop is corrupt” (meaning Mnangagwa) was leaked according to the report.
He reportedly also ran a security company and startup business interests in Harare.
Chitungo’s family, relatives and friends described Chitungo as a “man of the people”, a “family man” and a “reliable professional” who was good-natured, calm and amicable.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Senior Central Intelligence Organisation Officer Dies

Impala Car Rental, a car hire company whose vehicle was used in the abduction of university student Tawanda Muchehiwa by suspected State agents in July this year has refuted a report claiming that it is owned by the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).
In a letter to The NewsHawks, <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/11/29/the-cio-owns-impala-car-rental-the-news-hawks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the online publication that published the story linking the company to the CIO,</a> Impala’s lawyers, Mudimu Law Chambers, cited twelve allegations carried by the story which they refuted, calling them lies.
The lawyers insisted that Impala Car Rental is a family business whose directors are Matirasa Francisca Dondo and Clara Dondo and not the CIO.
Further, Impala’s lawyers gave The NewsHawks 48 hours to retract the story, which they described as defamatory, frivolous and vexatious, or face litigation. They wrote:
<blockquote>We are advised by our client of a fictitious story written by Owen Garare Bridget Mananavire who operate under News Hawks.
Their story’s net effect was that the company in question is owned by the State security service Central intelligence Organisation (CIO)
… it’s clear that your story is actuated by malice and evil intention, the allegations in your story are not only defamatory but also frivolous and vexatious.
We do hereby demand that you kindly retract your story in its entirety, using the same mode of platform and giving it the same due weight as it was published, find hereto attached the CR14 of the company.
It is also of great concern that you used a Drone to take pictures and videos at our client’s premises without their consent.
We give you 48 hours to retract your story, the failure we will approach the courts for recourse and you will bear the costs of litigation.</blockquote>

Impala Says It Is Not Owned By The CIO

<blockquote>Case Alert 
20 December 2019
ASSAULT VICTIM WINS ZWL$7 000 COMPENSATION CLAIM AGAINST CIO AND ZRP
THE <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Central_Intelligence_Organisation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO)</a> and the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Republic_Police" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)</a> have paid ZWL$7 000 to a victim of assault after he successfully sued them with the assistance of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
32-year-old Tomufadzanei Murindagomo sued Owen Ncube, the Minister of State for National Security, Hon. <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kazembe_Kazembe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kazembe Kazembe</a>, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Godwin Matanga, the Commissioner-General of ZRP, some CIO members and some police officers in August 2017 for payment of damages after he was unlawfully arrested from his home and detained by a group of eight people including some CIO operatives and put into the rear boot of the CIO’s Alteza vehicle and driven around for between 30 to 45 minutes until he was eventually released into the custody of a police officer only identified as Constable Kondo and placed in police cells at Glen Norah Police Station.
At Glen Norah Police Station, Murindagomo was held without charge overnight and was later charged with the assault of one Moffat Mavambo. However, Murindagomo was acquitted of the assault charge.
In court, Murindagomo’s lawyer Fiona Iliff of ZLHR argued that the arbitrary arrest, assault and unlawful detention of her client was clearly unjustifiable and unlawful in the circumstances and amounted to violations of several of his fundamental rights including the right to human dignity personal security, freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and of his right to personal liberty.
Iliff charged that the transfer of custody of Murindagomo from State security agents to the police without charge further violated his constitutional rights as an arrested and detained person including the right to be informed of the reasons of arrest, the right to be treated humanely and with dignity, the right to consult a legal practitioner and medical practitioner and his right to a fair hearing.
Iliff said as a result of the CIO members and the ZRP officers’ wrongful conduct, Murindagomo suffered damages amounting to ZWL$7 080 broken down as ZWL$2 000 being damages for assault, ZWL$1 000 for nervous shock, ZWL$1 000 for abuse, ZWL$1 000 for pain and suffering, ZWL$2 000 for unlawful arrest and detention and ZWL$80 as compensation for unlawful deprivation of property, a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone handset.
On Wednesday 27 November 2019, Murindagomo was finally paid ZWL$7 080 as compensation for the violation of his fundamental rights as ordered by Harare Magistrate Farai Gwitima.
ENDS 
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights 
Kodzero/Amalungelo House 
No. 103 Sam Nujoma Street, Harare, Zimbabwe 
Phone: (+263 8677005347, +263 242 764085/705370/708118 
Email: info@zlhr.org.zw 
www.zlhr.org.zw</blockquote>

Harare Man Granted $7 000 As Compensation After Assault By CIO & Police Officers {Full Text}

A purported <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Central_Intelligence_Organisation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO)</a> document was allegedly leaked to media houses and journalists.
Prominent journalist and award-winning filmmaker <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Hopewell_Chin%27ono" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hopewell Chin’ono</a> castigated the government’s propensity to waste resources on “fiction” rather than focusing on developmental projects. Using microblogging site Twitter, Chin’ono wrote:
<blockquote>Pastor @ShingiMunyeza, as @Zimpapers board member &amp;Presidential advisor, these are the things pulling us backwards.
The amount of energy, time &amp; resources spent by the regime on non-essential activities is disappointing.
Instead of developmental work, it is concentrating on fiction.</blockquote>
Below is the document allegedly leaked by the Intelligence:
<blockquote>TO: DG
FROM: Honourable Minister Alle
DATE: 21 November 2019
SUBJECT: UNITED STATES EMBASSY INTERFERENCE IN DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Reference is made to the Counter Intelligence Branch DIA of 20 November 2019 regarding plans by the US Embassy to fund a workshop for a subversive organisation called Frontline Defenders, at its Chancery from 02 to 10 December 2019. Part of the purpose of the workshop is to train subversive civil society organisations on ways of sustaining demonstrations.
It is my view that our Operational Branches can pre-empt the US agenda through various media platforms, including The Herald and The Sunday Mail. The possible exposure, coming on the backdrop of the United Nations Human Rights Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Hilal ELVER, will help to expose the American hand in political problems affecting Zimbabwe. We will not achieve much by allowing them to conduct the workshop which is aimed at undermining the country.
Forwarded for your actioning.
CC: DIRECTOR COUNTER INTELLIGENCE 
DIRECTOR INTERNAL</blockquote>
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKFh0FzXYAEp2mb?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900"/>

Full Text: Purported CIO Document "Leaked" To Media Houses - Report

Top officers within the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Central_Intelligence_Organisation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO)</a> have been awarded hefty pay rises and this has not been well-received by their juniors who are still getting meagre salaries.
According to a NewsDay report, senior CIO officers, starting from the district intelligence officer (DIO) going up, had their monthly salaries increased to more than $18 000, up from $2 500, while the provincial intelligence officers had their salaries hiked to $23 000, up from $3 500. The publication’s source is quoted as saying:
<blockquote>There are suspicions that some soldiers and police officers, as well as junior intelligence officers, are not happy with their salaries, worse the huge salary gap.
So now the bosses are asking which junior officers are not happy. They allege there are some operatives in the secret service who are moving around agitating others to be vocal about their salaries.</blockquote>
Senior intelligence officers who are below the DIOs are reportedly getting between $2 500 and $2 800, while the rest are in the region of $2 000.
Meanwhile, a recent report by NewsDay claimed that senior regional magistrates were secretly awarded $9 500 per month, which is inclusive of the basic salary, housing allowance, legal allowance and representation allowance.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/10/disquiet-in-cio-over-growing-salary-gap/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Top CIO Officers' Salaries Hiked To $23 000 Per Month - Report

The former head of Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Happyton Bonyongwe wrote on his working relationship with the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Bonyongwe narrated how he met the late national hero in 1977 in Nachingwea, Tanzania, where he was undergoing training as a guerilla fighter with the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA).
Years later, in 1998, he was selected to serve on the President’s Department. He wrote:
<blockquote>In hindsight, however, I now consider myself to have been most fortunate to have been selected and appointed to the President’s Department in 1998.
I was to work with Mugabe on a daily basis, first as the Deputy Director-General, and later as Director-General. I was to become Mugabe’s longest-serving director-general of intelligence.
My job was to brief him on security matters, and as educated and knowledgeable as the man was, I have never met such a good listener.
I was not surprised to discover that Ken Flower, the late founding Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) also recorded in his book, Serving Secretly, that of the Prime Ministers he served, Mugabe was the best in patiently listening to the reports and briefings which he was given.
Being a good listener is the rarest quality in a leader. This trait is probably what served the man well and goes toward explaining his staying power in politics.
Those who knew him well will even recall that, although he was served by many aides, he would, especially in the early years, take his own notes in important meetings, giving him the ability to address issues raised effectively.
He also had a sharp mind which could store and quickly process a lot of information.
I shall forever be grateful for his confidence and the support he gave to the intelligence community when I was director-general.
I thank him also for the honour he bestowed on his intelligence and security service, the CIO, each year. He never missed a single graduation ceremony.
His commitment to duty in this regard was unparalleled. It was on such occasions that he dazzled us by his intelligence and academic prowess.
His performance ensured that we remained in no doubt that he was the leader of the Zimbabwean intelligence and new officers became aware that they were joining a noblest and intellectually postured and primed profession.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2019/09/13/my-debt-to-robertmugabe-the-leader-of-our-revolution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZimLive</a></h4>

Former CIO Boss Speaks On Mugabe's Legacy

Members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) are said to be harassing teachers in several provinces for not going to work.
This was said by Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general, Raymond Majongwe. Writing on microblogging site Twitter, Majongwe said:
<blockquote>There are reports that the CIO is harassing teachers in Mash East Manicaland and Mat South because they are incapacitated and can’t come to school. For the record, this dispute is purely a labour one. CIO doesn’t employ teachers. Please stay away.</blockquote>
Teachers had their salaries decimated by the rising cost of living and inflation. The government last week offered civil servants a $400 cushioning allowance and promised to have deposited the money by Friday (yesterday).

CIO Officers Harassing Teachers For Failure To Go To Work - PTUZ

A 10-man joint team made up of members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), soldiers, Military Intelligence (MI) and police officers has been arretsed and charged with armed robbery.
The gang was deployed in Harare’s suburbs at the height of the January fuel protests to quash the demonstrations.
The first to appear in court was Sergeant Wellington Mushosho of the Police’s Internal Security Intelligence (PISI), appeared in a Harare court on Monday and was remanded in custody to February 25.
The other nine alleged robbers made up of Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) spies, police officers and Military Intelligence (MI) agents – were arrested on Monday and are due in court on Tuesday.
The state security team is said to have entered a shabeen in Mbare where they ordered patron to lie down. They allegedly went on to bash the prostrate patrons and went on rob the Shabeen owner 42-year-old Norah Kandawasvika, of $2,800 bond notes and $100.
According to a ZimLive report, the group of “robbers’ moved around in Nissan vehicles owned by the CIO around Harare while they terrorised residents.
Despite the growing evidence that security forces deployed around the country have been involved in criminal activities, the government has stoically rejected the allegations. The government has blamed the opposition MDC and ‘thugs’ for the crimes.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2019/02/police-cio-and-military-intelligence-team-charged-over-mbare-armed-robbery/">ZimLive.com</a></h4>

CIO, Police, Military Intelligence Officers Arrested For Armed Robbery At Mbare Beerhall - Report

MDC MP for Kuwadzana East Charlton Hwende has written to the Namibian police seeking protection against rendition to Zimbabwe. Hwende is on the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) wanted list on allegations of public violence.
Hwende had gone to Namibia to visit relatives when he was notified that state security agencies were after him. He now fears that the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) is hot on his trails.
A letter written by Hwende’s lawyer to the Inspector-General of Namibian Police Sebastian Ndeitunga claims that the CIO has travelled to Namibia to abduct Hwende and bring him back to Zimbabwe. The attorney wrote:
<blockquote>In the course of January 2019, our client was informed, through reliable sources, that members of the Zimbabwean intelligence agency, namely the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), travelled to Namibia to abduct and rendition him (Hwende) to Zimbabwe where he is apparently wanted for treason, incitement to commit public violence and other charges.
According to the information, the members of the CIO already arrived in Namibia on or before 28 January 2019.</blockquote>
Hwende revealed to NewZimbabwe.com that he had not fled to Namibia but had visited the country. He was set to return to Zimbabwe early this month.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mdc-deputy-treasurer-acts-to-stave-off-namibia-rendition/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Chamisa Ally, Charlton Hwende Seeks Namibian Police Protection As He Fears Abduction

State security agents confiscated cosmetics at yesterday’s <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Midlands_State_University">Midlands State University</a> graduation ceremony.
Cosmetics such as face powders, lipstick, perfumes and finger nail polishes were barred from the venue with other items such as hair comps and toilet paper also not allowed. Both male and female graduands had any pieces of paper, earphones and power cables seized by members of the police who manned the venue entrances.
Before the ceremony started people were told to switch off their mobile phones. President Mugabe capped 4,708 graduands, made up of 2,349 females and 2,359 males respectively. A total of 3,988 received undergraduate degrees while 713 graduated with masters’ degrees and seven academic members attained PHD degrees.
More: <a href="http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-33456-Mugabe+CIOs+ban+lipstick+at+graduation/news.aspx">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

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