Harare – Controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a close associate of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is on the cusp of joining Zanu-PF’s powerful Central Committee, a move that underscores his growing influence within the ruling party and intensifies existing factional tensions.
Tagwirei’s endorsement by Zanu-PF’s Harare provincial coordinating committee (PCC) now awaits the approval of Zanu-PF Secretary General Obert Mpofu. Should this be granted, it would mark a significant political manoeuvre, placing Tagwirei within the party’s most influential decision-making body between congresses.
Speaking at a meeting in Harare on Monday, provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa heaped praise on Tagwirei, portraying him as a “strategist” and a “visionary business leader” who should be co-opted into the party’s influential structures.
“Members of the Central Committee in Harare have proposed that Cde Tagwirei be recommended for co-option into the Central Committee of ZANU PF. Cde Tagwirei is a party member in Harare Metropolitan Province. He is a strategist in business. He is a visionary business leader. So, the proposal was put forward by members of the Central Committee, and the PCC unanimously agreed to recommend him for co-option into the Central Committee of ZANU PF. We are going to submit this recommendation to the party’s Secretary-General, Dr Obert Mpofu, as the official position from Harare Province,” said Masimirembwa.
Masimirembwa added that Tagwirei has been a staunch supporter of the ruling party. “Cde Tagwirei has been supporting the party, and this is the time for him to participate from within, particularly in championing economic empowerment,” he said.
However, Tagwirei’s rise has not been without controversy. He has been accused of benefiting from his close ties to Mnangagwa through lucrative government contracts, including a multimillion-dollar deal to construct the Mbudzi Interchange flyover. He has also expanded his business empire into mining while maintaining a near-monopoly in the fuel sector. Furthermore, he has been at the centre of threats from militant war veteran Blessed Geza, who has accused him of being an oligarch.
Adding fuel to the fire, Tagwirei’s potential elevation comes amidst reports of intense infighting within Zanu-PF, with a faction loyal to President Mnangagwa allegedly attempting to sideline Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.
Zanu-PF loyalists accuse Chiwenga of opposing the party’s 2024 annual conference resolution to extend Mnangagwa’s stay in office until 2030. Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has publicly stated that the 2030 plot was hatched to stop Chiwenga from ascending to the presidency.
Sources within Zanu-PF claim that plans are already underway to replace Chiwenga with Tagwirei. The initial strategy involved Tagwirei making a presentation at a recent Central Committee meeting as part of a resource mobilisation committee. This would have been followed by a choreographed campaign by Zanu-PF provincial structures to elevate him into the Central Committee. Once a member, the campaign would shift towards elevating Tagwirei into the presidium to replace the out-of-favour Vice-President.
However, these plans were reportedly scuttled by Chiwenga himself. During a tense politburo meeting preceding the Central Committee gathering, Mnangagwa reportedly railed against indiscipline in the party, a message seen as targeted at Chiwenga’s faction.
Zanu-PF sources say Chiwenga was surprised when Tagwirei and another Mnangagwa ally, Paul Tungwarara, were slated to make presentations at the Central Committee meeting. The two were already in the gallery, prompting Chiwenga to demand to know why they were attending when they were not members.
Mnangagwa reportedly referred his deputy to Zanu-PF commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, for answers.
“Machacha told the VP that the two were supposed to make presentations on fund raising,” a central committee member disclosed.
“Chiwenga told him that the procedure should be that they make the presentations to the commissar who will then present in the central committee.”
He then demanded that the two be escorted out of the meeting.
Masvingo provincial chairman, Robson Mavhenyengwa, confirmed that the province supported Tagwirei’s elevation to the Central Committee.
According to those familiar with the plot, Chiwenga would be removed on the basis that he has allowed his backers to use social media to attack Mnangagwa.
At the Central Committee meeting, Zanu-PF chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri presented on the state of the party and singled out social media as the biggest threat to Zanu-PF’s cohesion. She raised a point on attacks against the president on social media as a major concern, another source said.
Chiwenga responded by stating that the Central Committee must come up with a resolution on responsible social media usage to avoid implosion in the party.
“Chiwenga said if the central committee fails to solve the social media problem, it would be tantamount to inviting war,” the source said.
He was supported by a woman from Mashonaland West who said it was not only Mnangagwa who should be protected from social media abuse, but all party leaders.
Chiwenga’s camp believes Tagwirei has become a powerful power broker and is being prepared for higher office.
While Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa was unavailable for comment, he has previously been critical of Chiwenga’s alleged presidential ambitions.
In a recent interview with a UK-based news platform DugUp, Mutsvangwa claimed that Chiwenga wanted to force Mnangagwa to anoint him as his successor, a demand the president has rejected.
“That guy wanted to be anointed to become president, to become a successor to the president,” Mutsvangwa said.
“So you want to remove the president but before you do so you want him to appoint, to annoint you. How do you do that? You’re squaring a circle! (Robert) Mugabe used to say I will nominate, I will give you my successor but the president (Mnangagwa) is saying no, we must go for elections. That’s normal for a democratic party.”
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