By a Correspondent
The Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe Organisation has officially dethroned reigning queen Malaika Mushandu, stripping her of the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe 2026 title after just 17 days in office over allegations of misconduct and ineligibility.
In a statement, the organisation said Mushandu’s title was revoked with effect from June 23, 2026, following investigations that found she had breached contractual obligations and failed to meet eligibility requirements expected of a national titleholder.
The announcement confirms that Mushandu’s reign lasted only 17 days before being terminated.
“After careful consideration and a thorough review of the matters at hand, the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe Organisation has made the difficult decision to revoke the title of Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe 2026,” the organisation said.
The pageant body said the decision was taken to protect the integrity of the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe franchise and ensure compliance with standards set by the international Miss Cosmo Organisation.
With immediate effect, Mushandu is no longer authorised to represent the organisation or present herself as the holder of the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe 2026 crown.
The organisation also warned the public against any claims suggesting she remains the reigning queen, saying such representations are false.
While Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe maintained that the public announcement was intended to clarify its position rather than embarrass the former beauty queen, the timing of the disclosure has raised questions within pageant circles.
Although the dethronement reportedly took effect on June 23, the organisation only made the decision public nearly two months later, creating uncertainty as preparations intensify for the upcoming international Miss Cosmo pageant.
The delay has also fuelled speculation over Zimbabwe’s representation at the global competition, which is expected to begin soon.
Compounding the uncertainty, Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe has not yet named a replacement or interim titleholder, leaving unanswered questions about who, if anyone, will represent the country on the international stage.
The organisation said it reserves all legal rights and remedies in relation to the matter and indicated that further updates would be communicated in due course.
