By Political Reporter-Former Director-General of Zimbabwe’s feared Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Happyton Bonyongwe has released a book.

The Robert Mugabe hitman’s project titled One Among Many: My Contribution to the Zimbabwean Story has sparked a heated debate about its intent and authenticity. 

Bonyongwe, who was displaced by Emmerson Mnangagwa alongside his boss Mugabe in the November 2017 coup, has chosen to tell his side of the story, offering what some describe as an unprecedented glimpse into the inner workings of a regime known for its brutality.

The book, priced at USD 56—steep by Zimbabwean standards—has drawn praise for its depth, candour, and emotional resonance.

Among the book’s supporters is Munyaradzi Hwengwere, a media entrepreneur who, in a glowing Facebook post, Monday hailed it as a “candid, honest, and balanced” narrative. 

Hwengwere lauded Bonyongwe’s writing for its “childlike innocence” and ability to inspire empathy through personal details despite admitting that the early chapters drag. 

However, his effusive endorsement has raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether it reflects an attempt to rehabilitate the public image of a man who played a central role in the country’s repressive state machinery.

Bonyongwe’s tenure as CIO Director-General coincided with some of the most repressive years in the country’s history. 

Under Mugabe’s leadership, the CIO was notorious for its role in silencing dissent, often through extrajudicial killings, abductions, and intimidation.

Human rights groups have long documented the CIO’s alleged complicity in political violence, mainly targeting opposition activists and civil society leaders.

Critics argue that Bonyongwe cannot dissociate himself from the atrocities committed by the CIO during his watch. 

While his memoir is being marketed as a candid reflection, sceptics question whether it confronts the agency’s dark legacy or skirts responsibility in favour of self-exoneration.

Hwengwere’s lavish praise for Bonyongwe’s book adds another layer of intrigue. 

A former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) CEO and rumoured CIO operative, Hwengwere’s endorsement has fueled speculation about a coordinated effort to sanitise the past actions of those linked to Zimbabwe’s oppressive apparatus.

“Is this an honest critique of a literary work, or is it an attempt to rewrite history for a man who has much to answer for?” one commentator questioned on social media. Another added, “Hwengwere’s glowing review conveniently ignores the lives destroyed by the CIO under Bonyongwe. This reeks of a PR exercise.”

The book’s defenders argue that Bonyongwe’s willingness to share personal struggles and agonies signals a genuine attempt to humanise himself and his experiences. 

They claim his story offers valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and the complexities of governance in a country as polarised as Zimbabwe.

However, detractors counter that the memoir’s timing and promotional strategy suggest a calculated move to rehabilitate Bonyongwe’s image in post-Mugabe Zimbabwe. 

As a former top official in a repressive regime, they argue, Bonyongwe has a vested interest in shaping how history remembers him.

Hwengwere’s suggestion that the book could be adapted into a movie is not far-fetched.

The narrative—steeped in power, intrigue, and personal struggle—has all the makings of a political thriller.

Yet, the question remains: will it be a balanced portrayal of history or a one-sided tale that glosses over inconvenient truths?