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

Edson Gandiwa has been appointed as the new Director-General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), effective immediately.
Gandiwa succeeds Fulton Mangwanya, who has now been appointed head of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), a position previously held by Isaac Moyo.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said Gandiwa brings over 20 years of experience in wildlife conservation and higher education. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
Following the appointment of Dr. Fulton Mangwanya as the Director General in the President’s department, Prof. Edson Gandiwa has been appointed as the Director General of Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority with immediate effect.
Professor Gandiwa has over 20 years of experience in the fields of wildlife conservation and higher education.
Previously, Professor Gandiwa served as Director Scientific Services at ZimParks (January 2021-January 2025); Associate Professor, Inaugural Executive Dean and Full Professor in the School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation at Chinhoyi University of Technology (May 2013-January 2021), Ecologist and Senior Ecologist based in Gonarezhou National Park (Chiredzi) at ZimParks (October 2004-April 2013).
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands (2013), a Master of Science Degree in Tropical Resource Ecology (with merit) from the University of Zimbabwe (2007), and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Environmental Science and Health (with first class) from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe (2004).
Professor Gandiwa has (co)authored over 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
His research interests include biodiversity and wildlife conservation, protected area management, community-based natural resource management, ecotourism and media framing of wildlife conservation.
Professor Gandiwa is the current Chair of the African Elephant Fund Steering Committee under the United Nations Environment Programme (Nairobi, Kenya) and he also seats on several boards.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Edson Gandiwa is the new boss of ZimParks, taking over from Fulton Mangwanya who got another job. Gandiwa has lots of experience in wildlife and education. He has studied a lot and written many articles. He loves animals and conservation. He is in charge of protecting wildlife and parks in Zimbabwe. Gandiwa is a smart and important person in charge of keeping animals safe and helping them grow.

Edson Gandiwa Appointed New ZimParks Director-General

President Emmerson Mnangagwa took time off his annual leave to reassign two cabinet ministers to different portfolios.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 3, 2025, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, confirmed the re-assignment of July Moyo from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to the Ministry of Energy and Power Development.
Edgar Moyo has been reassigned from the Ministry of Energy and Power Development to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
Rushwaya also confirmed the appointment of Fulton Mangwanya as the Director General in the President’s Department. These reassignments and appointments are effective immediately.
July Moyo, a close ally of Mnangagwa, has been a cabinet minister since 2018 after Mnangagwa became President in 2017, following a military coup. 
Moyo returns to the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, a position he previously held from July 2000 to February 2004 under then-President Robert Mugabe.
Edgar Moyo, on the other hand, became a minister in September 2023.
Fulton Mangwanya, currently the head of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), replaces Isaac Moyo as Director General. 
Mangwanya is not new to the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), having served as Assistant Director before his appointment to ZimParks in 2017. He also previously led the School of Intelligence.
Mnangagwa, whose annual leave began on December 31, 2024, has chosen to remain in the country until he resumes duty in early February.
Acting Chief Secretary George Charamba said during his leave, Mnangagwa will be available for commitments requiring his personal attention, both as State President and as Chairman of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

President Mnangagwa changed two ministers in his government, moving July Moyo to a new job and Edgar Moyo back to his old job. He also appointed Fulton Mangwanya as the new Director General. These changes are effective immediately. July Moyo has been a minister since 2018 and was a minister before under the previous president. Edgar Moyo became a minister in 2023. Fulton Mangwanya has experience in intelligence and now leads the President's department. President Mnangagwa will be back to work in early February after his vacation.

Mnangagwa Reassigns Cabinet Ministers, Installs New CIO Director General

Zimbabwe has over 130 tonnes of elephant tusks stockpiled, from which it cannot derive any economic value due to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) banning ivory trade in 1989.
This stockpile, valued at over US$600 million, remains idle in Zimparks’ vault in Harare, and the quantities continue to grow.
Fulton Mangwanya, the director general of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), made these remarks during a recent signing ceremony with Defend, formerly known as National Park Rescue (NPR), in Chizarira National Park in Binga. Said Mangwanya (via <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zimbabwe-feels-ivory-trade-ban-impact-as-stockpiles-surge-to-130-tonnes/">ZimLive</a>):
<blockquote>
Because of natural mortality, because of maybe management of elephants, they (stockpiles) continue to rise.
The situation that I have right now is that the vault on its own is now full of ivory. I don’t know what to do with it.
Right now, we are doing it internally. We want to kill, utilise the meat; we are not exploiting, they still make noise…you send them (elephants) to China, they make noise. You say we want to sell the hides, they (conservationists) make noise.
You want to sell the ivory, they make noise. So, by the end of the day as a sovereign state we have to do what is good for our nation.
We will not watch and see our people dying of hunger, especially those surrounding the parks where we have got these elephants.
So indeed yes, we are going to kill 200 or even more if they don’t actually service the need.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is home to over 80,000 elephants, with Hwange National Park home to between 45,000 and 55,000 elephants, exceeding its carrying capacity of 15,000. The country last conducted an elephant culling in 1988.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe has a lot of ivory from elephants, but they can't sell it because it's banned. The ivory is worth $600 million and keeps growing. The director of Zimparks doesn't know what to do with it. They may have to kill some of the elephants to control the population to reduce starvation for locals. Zimbabwe has too many elephants in the parks, and they last killed some in 1988. They are facing a tough decision on what to do with the ivory and the elephants.

Zimbabwe Faces Dilemma With 130 Tonnes Of Ivory Worth $600 Million

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) on Friday, 20 September, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Defend, aimed at revitalising Chizarira National Park in Binga, Matabeleland North province, and attracting international tourism, among other initiatives.
ZimParks Director General Fulton Mangwanya said that this collaboration will position Chizarira as a leader in biodiversity conservation and enhance its appeal to tourists. Said Mangwanya (via <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zimparks-defend-seal-20-year-wildlife-conservation-deal/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>):
<blockquote>
This MoU, a testament to our shared commitment, will be in effect for the next 20 years, symbolising an enduring pledge to collaboration.
Ahead of us lies great responsibility, exciting experiences, and endless opportunities that will undoubtedly transform Chizarira National Park into a leader in biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development.
I have no doubt that this partnership will yield tangible results. I commend Dr. Niall McCann and his team for their initiative in partnering with us and contributing to our shared vision and goals.
</blockquote>
ZimParks and Defend, formerly known as National Parks Rescue (NPR), have been collaborating in the management of Chizarira National Park for the past six and a half years.
Chizarira National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including four of the Big Five: elephants, lions, leopards, and buffaloes. However, rhinos are not present.
The park is also a paradise for bird watchers, with over 360 species recorded, including the rare Taita falcon and African pitta.
Chizarira offers a true wilderness experience with activities like walking safaris, allowing visitors to explore its majestic gorges, natural springs, and diverse ecosystems.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZimParks and Defend signed a 20-year partnership to help Chizarira National Park in Zimbabwe get more tourists. They want to protect the wildlife and make the park better for visitors. The park has elephants, lions, leopards, and buffaloes, but no rhinos. It's also good for bird watching. The partnership hopes to make the park a leader in protecting nature and helping the local community. They have been working together for over six years and believe that this new agreement will bring positive changes to Chizarira National Park.

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