harare24dmin A malicious and coordinated attempt to undermine President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the leadership of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) has come to light, exposing both foreign-backed propaganda and local subversive actors seeking to destabilize Zimbabwe’s security architecture.
At the center of this campaign is ZimEye, a discredited media outlet notorious for publishing fabricated stories and peddling disinformation. Its recent article — laced with falsehoods, hearsay, and a deepfake audio — attempts to portray non-existent rifts within the CIO leadership and attack the reputation of the President and current Director General, Dr Fulton Mangwanya. The intention is clear: to weaken the backbone of Zimbabwe’s intelligence community and erode public confidence in its leadership.
State security sources have confirmed that this is not an isolated media stunt, but rather part of a broader, well-orchestrated plot to destabilize the CIO — a key pillar of national governance and internal stability under President Mnangagwa. This campaign dates back to the era of former CIO Director General Isaac Moyo, who was similarly targeted by coordinated smear efforts designed to strain his relationship with the President. Those efforts failed. Now, the same forces have shifted their attention to Dr Mangwanya, employing more insidious tactics to seed internal discord, mistrust, and division.
Retired and redeployed elements from within the security sector are reportedly working in tandem with certain senior political figures to discredit the intelligence apparatus. Their motive: to cover up their own subversive activities and neutralize an institution capable of exposing them. These rogue actors, some with historical ties to foreign networks, are manipulating social media, ghost accounts, and even respected international NGOs to push false narratives.
One of the key figures named in this ongoing offensive is John Prendergast, whose U.S.-based nonprofit, The Sentry, purports to investigate corruption in Africa. However, Zimbabwean officials assert that The Sentry has become a tool for advancing political agendas and legitimizing attacks on Zimbabwe’s institutions under the guise of anti-corruption advocacy.
“The local players working hand-in-glove with John Prendergast and his associates are known,” said a senior security official. “Their tactics, their channels, and their messaging have all been identified. This isn’t journalism — it’s psychological and political warfare.”
President Mnangagwa is said to be fully aware of these subversive efforts. He has described the actors behind this plot as “devils trying to poison the President’s Department.” Far from being caught off guard, the Head of State is closely monitoring the situation, with the security apparatus already activating comprehensive countermeasures, including audits, internal investigations, and surveillance of the networks behind the offensive.
This hostile campaign, however, is not just about tarnishing reputations; it is a direct assault on the sovereignty of Zimbabwe. The aim is to cripple the intelligence services, undermine national unity, and shake the foundations of state security — all to the benefit of both internal opportunists and foreign entities hoping to manipulate Zimbabwe’s political trajectory.
Despite these attacks, the President and the CIO remain united in their mission. The organisation, forged in revolution and tempered through decades of statecraft, continues to serve Zimbabwe with loyalty and resolve. Neither deepfake audios nor propaganda pieces will deter its mandate.
Furthermore, the hosting of a disinformation platform like ZimEye in the United Kingdom raises serious concerns about media regulation and accountability in the West. The UK must reconsider whether it should continue to shelter an outlet that actively spreads falsehoods and incites unrest in sovereign nations.
As President Mnangagwa moves to fortify the CIO and purge it of bad actors, the public is urged to remain vigilant and to rely on credible, fact-based sources of information. The truth, ultimately, will prevail — and those orchestrating this campaign will be held accountable.
