NRZ CEO resigns after two months in office

National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) chief executive officer Munyaradzi Stephen Charangwa has resigned on medical grounds, just two months after assuming the role, in a sudden leadership change at the state-owned rail operator.

The NRZ board confirmed the resignation on Tuesday and announced that deputy chief executive officer Ainah Dube-Kaguru has been appointed acting chief executive officer with immediate effect, pending the recruitment of a substantive replacement.

Charangwa officially took office on April 1, 2026, becoming the first executive appointed under NRZ's revised leadership structure, which replaced the long-standing general manager model with a chief executive officer system.

In a statement, the board thanked Charangwa for his contribution and wished him a speedy recovery, noting his involvement in the organisation's ongoing strategic turnaround framework.

Prior to his resignation, Charangwa had initiated a 100-day diagnostic review aimed at reshaping NRZ's long-term recovery strategy. His focus included repositioning rail transport as the preferred mode for bulk cargo, particularly for the mining and agricultural sectors.

The NRZ is currently pursuing an ambitious recapitalisation programme that includes the acquisition of locomotives, wagons and passenger coaches, alongside rehabilitation of rail infrastructure, signalling systems and communication networks.

Before joining NRZ, Charangwa held senior roles in investment management and public sector advisory services, including positions at the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), Old Mutual, and other state-linked entities.

Dube-Kaguru, who now assumes the acting CEO role, previously served as acting general manager before being appointed deputy CEO. She also serves as the substantive chief operations officer, a position she has held since 2023.

Her appointment comes as NRZ continues efforts to stabilise leadership at the top of the organisation, which has experienced frequent executive changes in recent years.

NRZ is among several state-owned enterprises whose assets were recently transferred to the Mutapa Investment Fund as part of broader government reforms aimed at improving efficiency and unlocking value in public entities.

Once a dominant regional rail operator carrying about 18 million tonnes of cargo annually in the late 1990s, NRZ transported just over 2 million tonnes last year, falling slightly short of its target.

The board did not provide a timeline for the appointment of a permanent chief executive officer as restructuring efforts continue.