Online Reporter
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
BEAUTY queen cum filmmaker, Malaika Mushandu, has been relieved of her duties as Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe 2026 following a dispute with the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe Organisation, with both sides indicating that the matter has been a legal issue since shortly after her crowning.
Mushandu was crowned Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe 2026 at the Miss Universe Zimbabwe finale on June 6.
However, disagreements between her and the organisation emerged in the weeks that followed.
The latest development came over the weekend when Mushandu posted a video on social media wearing a crown.
The post sparked discussion among pageant followers and models, particularly about her continued association with the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe title.
The following day, the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe Organisation issued a statement announcing that Mushandu had been dethroned.
In the statement, Josh Taderera is cited as the chief executive.
The organisation said Mushandu had ceased to hold the title, citing misconduct and ineligibility as the reasons for the decision.
The statement brought an end to weeks of uncertainty surrounding Mushandu’s status following her crowning.
The dispute between Mushandu and the organisation has been ongoing since the weeks following the June 6 crowning.
Both sides have now confirmed that the matter has been handled as a legal issue, although neither has publicly disclosed all the details of their disagreement.
The organisation has maintained that its decision was based on concerns surrounding Mushandu’s conduct and her eligibility to represent Zimbabwe internationally.
Mushandu, however, has chosen not to publicly respond to the allegations while the legal process is underway.
The latest social-media post appeared to reignite the issue after a period in which both parties had largely avoided making detailed public comments.
Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe CEO Taderera also commented on the video.
“In my opinion, her posting that video after a “cease and desist” is misrepresentation and grounds to sue,” Taderera said.
His comments suggest that the organisation had previously communicated its position to Mushandu regarding her use of the title.
The organisation’s subsequent announcement the following day formally clarified its position that Mushandu was no longer Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe.
However, Malaika’s video generated more than 3 000 views and over 400 comments from fans who supported and liked her.
She captioned the video: “Heavy is the head that wears the crown,” which some said was ironic as she was, like, communicating something, although others said it was just a caption to push her post.
Contacted for comment, Mushandu declined to discuss the matter in detail, saying it was now before the courts.
“Talk to my lawyers for now. I can’t respond to anything. They are working on that,” she said.
Her response indicates that she intends to challenge or address the matter through the legal process rather than through public statements.
The dispute has consequently moved beyond the pageant community, with the legal process now likely to determine the next stage of the matter.
For now, the Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe Organisation maintains that Mushandu no longer holds the 2026 title, while Mushandu has referred questions to her legal representatives.
Mushandu’s other pageant position as Miss Universe Zimbabwe second runner-up remains unaffected by the decision.
Meanwhile, the issue has divided the beauty industry with a lot speculations surrounding the issue as other want justice and to know the reasons of “dethronement,” according to statement, while others are of the opinion they could have handled the matter amicably considering that Malaika is a strong candidate for Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe pageant.
Though the issue of dethronement or being stripped of the title is not new in local pageantry, several models locally have been dethroned, including Emily Kachote (Miss World Zimbabwe 2015).
Kachote was dethroned shortly after winning the crown, and it is alleged that her private nude photographs leaked on social media, which violated the strict moral code and rules signed by contestants.
Miss Zimbabwe 2014, Thabiso Phiri, resigned and relinquished her title after private photographs of her in the nude circulated publicly, preceding the similar controversy faced by her successor the following year.
Then Lungile Mathe (Miss Tourism Zimbabwe — Miss Personality 2010/2011) was dethroned and stripped of her prizes amidst disputed circumstances following her refusal of alleged improper advances.
Internationally, recently crowned Mekyla Li (Miss Grand USA 2026) was stripped of her national title and role just days after winning, following revelations regarding past marriage and legal issues that conflicted with international policies.
Accordingly, international systems like Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Earth have occasionally removed or replaced winners or runners-up when contractual obligations or pre-requisite eligibility rules were broken.
Malaika and Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe organisation’s issue is a developing story.
