HARARE – Senior ZANU PF officials have accused businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei of orchestrating divisions within Zimbabwe’s ruling party by simultaneously funding rival factions loyal to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
Provincial party leaders confronted President Mnangagwa about Tagwirei’s alleged double-dealing during a meeting at Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm near Kwekwe. Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube led the delegation that voiced concerns about the businessman’s activities.
The allegations emerge amid growing tensions over ZANU PF’s leadership succession. While Chiwenga is positioned as frontrunner to succeed Mnangagwa when his term ends in 2028, some party loyalists are campaigning to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency to 2030.
Provincial chairpersons claim Tagwirei has been financing efforts to promote Mnangagwa’s term extension while secretly supporting Chiwenga’s succession bid. This dual funding strategy has reportedly intensified factional conflicts within the party.
President Mnangagwa has repeatedly stated he will not seek to extend his rule beyond his constitutionally mandated term. However, ZANU PF provincial leaders continue organizing inter-district meetings to rally support for the “2030 project.”
The succession dispute has already led to purges of suspected Chiwenga supporters, particularly in Harare and Masvingo provinces. Party officials who oppose extending Mnangagwa’s term have faced increasing pressure from provincial leadership.
During the Precabe Farm meeting, Minister Ncube and other provincial chairpersons directly appealed to Mnangagwa to address Tagwirei’s alleged role in deepening party divisions through his financial influence.
The confrontation marks a significant escalation in ZANU PF’s internal power struggle, with provincial structures now openly challenging the influence of one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent businessmen.
