Strive Masiyiwa joining Mnangagwa's government?

Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa's wife, Tsitsi, has sparked internet rumours that the mogul may be joining Mnangagwa's government in some capacity.

Writing on Twitter, Tsitsi said: "I read about in Genesis the story of Joseph the young Israelite's appointment as prime minister of Egypt by Pharaoh. Wow! Incredible. Found myself asking, ‘Can you be called upon by your pharaoh to serve in your Egypt to prevent calamity?'"

Twitter users took the comment to suggest that Mnangagwa, who toppled former President Robert Mugabe in a military coup last November, had reached out to Masiyiwa.

Some even issued advice to the businessman, warning that he risked being used by Zanu-PF to survive the current economic collapse before being discarded.

"Just a warning, Pharaoh can easily abuse. Just read where it says Pharaoh forgot all Joseph's contributions and placed the children of Israel under hard bondage and slavery. Pharaoh just wants to survive the famine," said @drmakhuza in reply.

Perhaps Joseph is completely blindfolded by the dominance in electronic money&the profits generated by a disguised monopoly. If a Queen B of fuel exists, then who is the data&voice Queen B? https://t.co/JKYswuGgsE

— Mutumwa (@mmawere) October 30, 2018

Despite repeated calls for Masiyiwa to enter the political ring, the tycoon has used every opportunity to dampen talk of a run for political office.

Masiyiwa said sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States had paralysed the country, whose prospects of coming out of the economic crisis were dim for the same reason.

Masiyiwa, whose company Econet is the largest telecoms firm in Zimbabwe now with a diversified portfolio, said he was determined to maintain his investments in Zimbabwe.