In a shocking move that has sent tremors through Zimbabwe’s business and academic circles, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Frederick Shava has unceremoniously removed Professor Gift Mugano from the ZimTrade board. This unexpected development raises serious concerns about the government’s attitude toward independent voices and alternative policy perspectives, especially those associated with the opposition.

Professor Mugano, a respected economist and head of the Centre for African Governance at Durban University of Technology in South Africa, was widely seen as a valuable addition to ZimTrade — Zimbabwe’s main body for promoting exports and boosting international trade. His removal, however, is not being viewed as just a routine board reshuffle. Rather, it appears to be part of a growing pattern of silencing professionals who don’t toe the ruling party’s line.

Having previously worked with the government, Mugano eventually walked away, citing the administration’s unwillingness to accept sound policy advice. He later aligned himself with the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), Zimbabwe’s main opposition party led by Nelson Chamisa. That political shift, it seems, has now cost him his seat at the trade table.

This decision is being seen by many as a clear message: support the opposition, and you risk being sidelined — no matter your qualifications or contributions. Mugano’s removal highlights the government’s increasing intolerance for differing views, even from highly skilled professionals who only wish to help build the country.

ZimTrade’s mission is to expand Zimbabwe’s export base and open up global market opportunities for local businesses. That mission requires not only technical know-how but also innovative thinking and critical voices around the table. Removing someone like Professor Mugano — who has a track record of challenging poor governance and proposing solutions — undermines that mission and signals that politics now trumps performance.

This incident has sparked wider debates about Zimbabwe’s ability to attract and retain top talent, especially from its diaspora. It’s no secret that many Zimbabwean professionals abroad are reluctant to return home due to the toxic mix of politics and governance that greets independent thinkers. Mugano’s ouster will only deepen that reluctance, casting a shadow over Zimbabwe’s hopes for meaningful economic recovery.

Worse still, it sends a worrying message to the international community. For countries and investors considering partnerships with Zimbabwe, this latest development will raise questions about the country’s commitment to professional governance, open dialogue, and policy credibility. If leading economists can be kicked out for having differing political views, then how safe is intellectual freedom in Zimbabwe?

At its core, this episode is about more than one man. It’s about whether Zimbabwe can truly embrace a future where ideas are judged on merit rather than politics. It’s about whether the government wants to build a nation based on evidence and expertise — or one where loyalty to Zanu PF is the only qualification that matters.

As the Mugano saga unfolds, the spotlight is firmly on Mnangagwa’s government. Will it continue down a path that punishes dissent and isolates talent, or will it wake up to the reality that national development requires all hands on deck — including those with opposing views?

For now, Professor Gift Mugano’s removal stands as yet another reminder that in Zimbabwe, politics is still allowed to ruin progress. And until that changes, the country’s path to prosperity will remain painfully slow and deeply compromised.