News / National
Tagwirei’s Zanu-PF Central Committee bid back in the spotlight
4 hrs ago | Views
Zanu-PF national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha has clarified that businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei is not yet a member of the party’s central committee, despite claims by senior officials that his co-option had already been sealed.
His remarks contradict Zanu-PF legal affairs secretary Patrick Chinamasa, who recently insisted that Tagwirei’s elevation was a “done deal.” Chinamasa’s statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), was interpreted as an attempt to shut down internal resistance. However, the post was deleted hours later, only to resurface the next day.
The row over Tagwirei’s position has exposed widening divisions within the party’s leadership. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga last month blocked the Harare provincial executive’s attempt to push Tagwirei into the central committee, citing procedural violations.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa also accused the businessman of using money to influence structures, warning that the co-option process should be restarted. He alleged that Tagwirei was “buying positions” through patronage.
Speaking to NewsDay over the weekend, Machacha stressed that the final decision lies with the central committee itself.
“The final position will be made by the central committee. Provinces may make recommendations, but it is the central committee which accepts any recommendation or makes any other decision,” he said.
Tagwirei, a powerful financier of the ruling party, was controversially co-opted by the Harare provincial executive in March. His entry into high-level politics has fuelled speculation that he is positioning himself as a potential successor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, placing him on a collision course with Chiwenga, long regarded as the leading contender.
The issue spilled into last week’s politburo meeting, where Mutsvangwa openly challenged Chinamasa’s stance. According to insiders, he even told Mnangagwa to replace him as party spokesperson with Chinamasa if the president felt he was underperforming. Mnangagwa remained silent, as did Chinamasa, leaving the room tense.
The infighting forced Mnangagwa to warn party leaders against what he called “individualistic tendencies” threatening unity.
“Tactics and political chicanery meant to mislead, confuse, as well as divide the party and nation, must be nipped in the bud,” the president said.
“We must all speak with one voice and march in one direction. Leaders of the party are bound by collective responsibility and must unite around party decisions and resolutions which serve as our ideological and moral compass.”
He also urged discipline in communication after weeks of damaging public spats between senior figures.
Tagwirei’s rise has not been without controversy. Observers note that he has distributed significant resources, including 18 luxury vehicles to the Harare provincial executive that endorsed him, fuelling accusations that he is using financial muscle to secure political legitimacy.
The central committee is expected to deliberate on the matter in upcoming sittings, but until then, the controversy continues to underscore factional tensions within Zanu-PF’s succession race.
His remarks contradict Zanu-PF legal affairs secretary Patrick Chinamasa, who recently insisted that Tagwirei’s elevation was a “done deal.” Chinamasa’s statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), was interpreted as an attempt to shut down internal resistance. However, the post was deleted hours later, only to resurface the next day.
The row over Tagwirei’s position has exposed widening divisions within the party’s leadership. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga last month blocked the Harare provincial executive’s attempt to push Tagwirei into the central committee, citing procedural violations.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa also accused the businessman of using money to influence structures, warning that the co-option process should be restarted. He alleged that Tagwirei was “buying positions” through patronage.
Speaking to NewsDay over the weekend, Machacha stressed that the final decision lies with the central committee itself.
“The final position will be made by the central committee. Provinces may make recommendations, but it is the central committee which accepts any recommendation or makes any other decision,” he said.
Tagwirei, a powerful financier of the ruling party, was controversially co-opted by the Harare provincial executive in March. His entry into high-level politics has fuelled speculation that he is positioning himself as a potential successor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, placing him on a collision course with Chiwenga, long regarded as the leading contender.
The issue spilled into last week’s politburo meeting, where Mutsvangwa openly challenged Chinamasa’s stance. According to insiders, he even told Mnangagwa to replace him as party spokesperson with Chinamasa if the president felt he was underperforming. Mnangagwa remained silent, as did Chinamasa, leaving the room tense.
The infighting forced Mnangagwa to warn party leaders against what he called “individualistic tendencies” threatening unity.
“Tactics and political chicanery meant to mislead, confuse, as well as divide the party and nation, must be nipped in the bud,” the president said.
“We must all speak with one voice and march in one direction. Leaders of the party are bound by collective responsibility and must unite around party decisions and resolutions which serve as our ideological and moral compass.”
He also urged discipline in communication after weeks of damaging public spats between senior figures.
Tagwirei’s rise has not been without controversy. Observers note that he has distributed significant resources, including 18 luxury vehicles to the Harare provincial executive that endorsed him, fuelling accusations that he is using financial muscle to secure political legitimacy.
The central committee is expected to deliberate on the matter in upcoming sittings, but until then, the controversy continues to underscore factional tensions within Zanu-PF’s succession race.
Source - NewsDay
