The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has announced key leadership changes, elevating seasoned but controversial state lawyer Chris Mutangadura to the position of Deputy Prosecutor General. Bulawayo-based Chief Public Prosecutor Mrs. Tariro Rosa Takuva has also been promoted to the same rank, in what officials describe as a strategic move to bolster the prosecutorial body’s leadership and operational effectiveness.
In addition, Mr. Dingidhlela Zisengwe, formerly the head of uniformed services and formations within the Public Service Commission, has been appointed as the NPAZ board secretary and Accounting Officer.
The appointments were communicated by Prosecutor General Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo to senior officials within the authority. She hailed the promotions as “a significant milestone in strengthening the leadership and operational capacity of the authority as it continues to deliver on its mandate with professionalism, integrity, and excellence.”
Justice Matanda-Moyo further praised the appointees, noting that they bring “a wealth of experience, expertise, and commitment to the rule of law.” She expressed confidence that their contributions will “enhance prosecutorial efficiency, governance, and overall delivery of justice.”
With these promotions, Mutangadura and Takuva join Mr. Nelson Mutsonziwa, who is already serving as a Deputy Prosecutor General, thereby expanding the senior leadership team at a time when the NPAZ faces growing demands to assert independence and restore public trust.
Mutangadura, Takuva Promoted as Deputy Prosecutor Generals in Major NPA Shake-Up
For Mutangadura, the elevation marks the latest chapter in a long and eventful career in public prosecution. Known for his sharp legal mind but also for his sometimes turbulent relationship with past leadership, his path to the top has not been without controversy.
In 2019, Mutangadura clashed with then-Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi, who attempted to transfer him from Harare to Guruve. Mutangadura resisted the move, challenging it in the High Court. Justice Happious Zhou ruled in his favour, finding that the Prosecutor General did not have the constitutional or statutory authority to employ, deploy, assign, or transfer NPAZ staff. Those powers, the court stressed, were vested in the NPAZ board.
Justice Zhou went further, describing the attempted transfer as “grossly irrational,” likening it to forcing a university professor to teach at a primary school. The ruling underscored Mutangadura’s right to administrative justice and legitimate expectation, noting that he was entitled to be heard before any such move was made.
Following that setback, Hodzi launched disciplinary proceedings against Mutangadura, accusing him of misconduct in a case involving a theft suspect, Kudakwashe Unity Mhike. Mhike, accused of stealing US$8,000 from RAM Petroleum, was released via summons rather than being remanded in custody, a decision that sparked outrage after the suspect fled to South Africa. RAM Petroleum subsequently filed a complaint with the NPAZ, and Hodzi attempted to use the incident to discipline Mutangadura.
Despite these controversies, Mutangadura managed to weather the storm, building a reputation as both a resilient legal practitioner and a survivor in Zimbabwe’s prosecutorial system.
Alongside Mutangadura, Mrs. Tariro Rosa Takuva’s elevation has been widely welcomed, particularly within Bulawayo where she has long served as Chief Public Prosecutor. Known for her disciplined approach to case management and her focus on professionalism, Takuva is expected to bring a regional perspective to the NPAZ’s top leadership.
Mr. Dingidhlela Zisengwe’s appointment as NPAZ board secretary and Accounting Officer signals a move to strengthen governance and oversight within the authority. His background at the Public Service Commission, where he was responsible for uniformed services and formations, is seen as an asset in improving institutional accountability and efficiency.
The NPAZ has been under increasing scrutiny in recent years, with critics accusing it of lacking independence in politically sensitive cases while struggling to deliver consistent outcomes in ordinary prosecutions. The latest appointments are therefore viewed as part of broader efforts by Justice Matanda-Moyo to reposition the institution as credible, professional, and effective.
Legal analysts say the decision to elevate both Mutangadura and Takuva was strategic, balancing experience with regional representation. At the same time, it signals an attempt to draw a line under past controversies and chart a new course for the authority.
“Mutangadura’s promotion shows that the NPAZ values institutional memory and legal expertise, even if the individual has had clashes with leadership in the past,” one analyst observed. “Coupled with Takuva’s track record in Bulawayo and Zisengwe’s governance experience, the appointments could strengthen the authority’s operational backbone.”
The promotions come at a critical time for Zimbabwe’s justice delivery system, which faces mounting pressure to tackle corruption, improve efficiency, and restore public trust in state institutions. For Mutangadura, the role offers both vindication and fresh challenges as he steps into one of the highest offices in the prosecutorial service.
As the NPAZ prepares for the future, the performance of its new leadership team will be closely watched. Whether they succeed in turning the page on past controversies and delivering a stronger, more independent prosecutorial authority remains to be seen.
Source- ZimEye
