CIO boss gets new contract

via CIO boss gets new contract – NewsDay Zimbabwe August 4, 2015 by Xolisani Ncube

President Robert Mugabe has extended Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) director-general Happyton Bonyongwe’s contract by another year, NewsDay has learnt.

This comes amid reports that Bonyongwe was facing an imminent ouster over his alleged links to former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.

Sources said Bonyongwe, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and Prisons Commissioner-General Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi, were targeted for ousting as a victorious Zanu PF faction suspected them of being Mujuru allies.

Although State Security minister Kembo Mohadi refused to comment on the issue, government sources said Bonyongwe had his contract extended by a year, meaning Mugabe still wants him to be the chief spy.

“I am sorry I have no comment on that, what’s your interest?” Mohadi said before switching off his mobile phone.

In the clearest sign that some top Zanu PF and security agents were against the CIO head, First Lady Grace Mugabe last November singled out Bonyongwe while she was addressing cross-border traders at her Mazowe orphanage prior to the ruling party’s congress. Disputed WikiLeaks diplomatic cables a few years ago also linked Bonyongwe to the Mujuru camp.

Most of the service chiefs had their contracts unilaterally extended for a two-year period in 2012 during the era of the inclusive government.

Chihuri’s contract has been extended a record 14 times since he was first appointed as police boss in 1994 after taking over in 1993 as acting police chief.

His first contract expired in 1997.