President Robert Mugabe is set to reshuffle key security service chief, having already redeployed ex-Central Intelligent Organisation (CIO) boss retired Major-General Happyton Boyongwe to become Justice Minister.
This comes as Mugabe has put in motion a process to send Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Chief-of-Staff (General Stuff) Trust Mugova to the African Union to standby force, as he seeks to realigh security forces in relation to the current political environment, his Zanu-PF leadership succession and next year’s general elections.
Mugova is an AU expert on peace and security issue. Top security sources said this week that Mugabe is likely to promote CIO deputy Director-General Aaron Daniel Tonde Nhepera, appointed to that position in 2011 to replace the late Menard Muzariri, to take over from Bonyongwe.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander (ZDF) General Constantine Chiwenga, who together with other top security service chiefs are now serving on rolling one-year contracts after finishing their constitutional two fire-year tenure, remains targeted for removal as previously reported extensively by the Independent.
Security sources said Chiwenga could be replaced by Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Phillip Valerio Sibanda or Air Force of Zimbabwe Air Marshal Perence Shiri.
Mugabe has publicly expressed his displeasure with Chiwenga for interfering in Zanu-PF succession politics.