Presidential Guard chief's wife leads Tagwirei campaign

Nyasha Mhonda, wife of Presidential Guard Commander Brigadier General Fidelis Mhonda, emerged as the main co-ordinator of Kudakwashe Tagwirei's land tenure event held in Masvingo on Friday. She was seen at the event wearing a beret emblazoned with the initials "ED," referring to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

A source close to the event revealed, "She was the main organiser, responsible for sending out invitations and managing logistics."

The event was widely interpreted as the launch of Tagwirei's ambitious bid to succeed President Mnangagwa, allegedly with the latter's backing. Tagwirei has been linked to a political maneuver to block Mnangagwa's deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, from succeeding the presidency. Although Tagwirei has not publicly disclosed his political intentions, his entry into politics was signaled in March when Zanu-PF provincial executives in Masvingo and Harare recommended his co-option into the party's central committee.

Since then, Tagwirei has reportedly leveraged a significant financial war chest, allegedly amassed from government contracts, to bolster his political influence.

Outspoken war veteran Blessed Runesu Geza recently claimed that Tagwirei pays General Mhonda US$25,000 monthly for protection. The presence of General Mhonda's wife as chief organiser at the event is expected to intensify speculation about the general's role in Zanu-PF's succession politics.

The event, branded as the "Land Tenure Implementation Leadership Success Series Programme," was presented as an initiative that Tagwirei plans to roll out nationwide in partnership with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, headed by Minister Tatenda Mavetera.

High-profile attendees included Masvingo Minister Ezra Chadzamira, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Commissioner Stanley Kondongwe, Zanu-PF Masvingo chairman Rabison Mavhenyengwa, and his deputy Trust Mugabe.

Tagwirei described the programme, under which the government intends to grant title deeds to resettled farmers, as a bold step towards youth empowerment through enhanced agricultural productivity and land use.

He emphasised that Zimbabwe's economic future depends on unlocking the potential of its youth, particularly in land and natural resource management. Tagwirei also stressed the importance of involving women in land reform decision-making and promoting innovation and sustainability in land use.

However, the programme has attracted criticism from war veterans led by Joseph Chinguwa, who filed a Constitutional Court challenge, arguing that it amounts to a reversal of land reform by forcing farmers to buy land from the government to obtain title deeds.

Local youth activist and agricultural student Best Zinyama criticised the initiative for lacking transparency and risking political patronage. "It's deeply troubling that this launch was attended only by political figures and loyalists. Where are the voices of the young people who are supposed to benefit? How will land allocations be managed? Who will oversee the process?" he questioned.

Tagwirei maintained that the goal is to cultivate a new generation of land-conscious leaders who can meaningfully contribute to Zimbabwe's development.

The event also marked the beginning of what Tagwirei described as a journey to introduce and endear himself to various provinces, fueling speculation about his political ambitions.