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Zanu-PF Central Committee rift deepens
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Ruling Zanu-PF party commissar Munyaradzi Machacha has stated that businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei is not yet a central committee member, contradicting earlier claims by party legal supremo Patrick Chinamasa that the co-option was a done deal.
The controversy follows Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga's intervention last month, when he blocked moves by the Zanu-PF Harare provincial executive, led by Godwills Masimirembwa, to include Tagwirei in the central committee, citing violations of party guidelines.
After Chiwenga's intervention, Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa accused Tagwirei of using money to buy positions and said the co-option process should be redone. Chinamasa later posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) asserting that Tagwirei's elevation, alongside four others, was final, describing opposition as jealousy-driven and legally baseless. He later removed and reposted the message.
Machacha told NewsDay over the weekend that the final decision rests with the central committee:
"Provinces may make recommendations, but it is the central committee which accepts any recommendation or makes any other decision. We will wait for the central committee to make the final decision."
The Harare province co-opted Tagwirei in March, amid speculation that he is positioning himself to succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa. While Chiwenga is widely seen as Mnangagwa's front-runner, observers note that Tagwirei appears to enjoy support from the party leader.
Tensions reportedly spilled into last Wednesday's politburo meeting, where Mutsvangwa confronted Chinamasa over his earlier statement. Mnangagwa did not respond directly but addressed the politburo, warning against divisive tactics and urging unity:
"Tactics and political chicanery meant to mislead, confuse, as well as divide the party and nation, must be nipped in the bud. 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."
Mnangagwa also called for disciplined communication, noting that party officials have increasingly used social media to attack one another amid the intensifying succession struggle.
Observers say Tagwirei's push for central committee inclusion is part of a broader strategy to position himself for the presidency, including reportedly distributing 18 top-of-the-range vehicles to the Harare provincial executive that facilitated his co-option.
The controversy follows Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga's intervention last month, when he blocked moves by the Zanu-PF Harare provincial executive, led by Godwills Masimirembwa, to include Tagwirei in the central committee, citing violations of party guidelines.
After Chiwenga's intervention, Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa accused Tagwirei of using money to buy positions and said the co-option process should be redone. Chinamasa later posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) asserting that Tagwirei's elevation, alongside four others, was final, describing opposition as jealousy-driven and legally baseless. He later removed and reposted the message.
Machacha told NewsDay over the weekend that the final decision rests with the central committee:
"Provinces may make recommendations, but it is the central committee which accepts any recommendation or makes any other decision. We will wait for the central committee to make the final decision."
Tensions reportedly spilled into last Wednesday's politburo meeting, where Mutsvangwa confronted Chinamasa over his earlier statement. Mnangagwa did not respond directly but addressed the politburo, warning against divisive tactics and urging unity:
"Tactics and political chicanery meant to mislead, confuse, as well as divide the party and nation, must be nipped in the bud. 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."
Mnangagwa also called for disciplined communication, noting that party officials have increasingly used social media to attack one another amid the intensifying succession struggle.
Observers say Tagwirei's push for central committee inclusion is part of a broader strategy to position himself for the presidency, including reportedly distributing 18 top-of-the-range vehicles to the Harare provincial executive that facilitated his co-option.
Source - newsday
