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Chiwenga drops bombshell
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Zanu-PF's intensifying succession battles have taken a dramatic turn following sensational revelations reportedly made by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga during a stormy politburo meeting last Wednesday. According to insiders, Chiwenga stunned colleagues by alleging that the ruling party secretly holds a 45 percent stake in Sakunda Holdings - a shadowy arrangement he claims has been used to siphon billions of dollars.
Sources said Chiwenga marched into the meeting with a dossier detailing how at least US$3.2 billion was diverted by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei through Zanu-PF's concealed shareholding. The arrangement, said to date back to Robert Mugabe's presidency, was allegedly held in trust by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, and party legal secretary Patrick Chinamasa.
However, instead of benefiting the party at large, Chiwenga charged that the funds were diverted to bankroll loyalty networks. He reportedly named benefactors such as flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo, gold dealer Scott Sakupwanya, and GeoPomona boss Delish Nguwaya as conduits through which resources were funneled to entrench patronage.
The revelations, if true, could have far-reaching political and constitutional implications.
Human rights defender and Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) leader Obert Masaraure said the disclosures raised serious questions of constitutional integrity. "This admission, if true, should immediately disqualify Sakunda from receiving any further contracts for public works," he said.
Citing Section 194 of the Constitution, Masaraure argued that the arrangement violates principles of transparency, fairness and honesty in public administration. He also pointed to Section 315, which mandates competitive, cost-effective and corruption-free procurement processes.
"When a company with ties to the ruling party is awarded a tender, it directly contravenes these principles," he said. "It creates a perception of influence and quid pro quo, undermining public trust and the fair use of public assets for the benefit of all Zimbabweans."
Masaraure further argued that companies such as Fossils, whose owners are known donors to Zanu-PF, should also be barred from tendering due to irreconcilable conflicts of interest.
Drawing comparisons with international practice, he noted that both the Philippines and the United States explicitly prohibit government contractors from donating to political parties, describing these bans as vital safeguards against "pay-to-play" politics.
"The public's money should be used to build a better future, not to fund political campaigns," Masaraure said. "The urgent task is to approach the courts seeking a declarator barring benefactors of political parties and party-owned entities from being contracted on public works projects. Parliament should also amend procurement and political financing laws to integrate these changes."
The explosive claims add a new dimension to Zanu-PF's succession struggle, already marked by factional rivalries between Mnangagwa, Chiwenga, and powerful business figures like Tagwirei. With the party's annual conference looming next month, the fallout from Chiwenga's bombshell is expected to deepen divisions within the ruling elite.
Sources said Chiwenga marched into the meeting with a dossier detailing how at least US$3.2 billion was diverted by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei through Zanu-PF's concealed shareholding. The arrangement, said to date back to Robert Mugabe's presidency, was allegedly held in trust by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, and party legal secretary Patrick Chinamasa.
However, instead of benefiting the party at large, Chiwenga charged that the funds were diverted to bankroll loyalty networks. He reportedly named benefactors such as flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo, gold dealer Scott Sakupwanya, and GeoPomona boss Delish Nguwaya as conduits through which resources were funneled to entrench patronage.
The revelations, if true, could have far-reaching political and constitutional implications.
Human rights defender and Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) leader Obert Masaraure said the disclosures raised serious questions of constitutional integrity. "This admission, if true, should immediately disqualify Sakunda from receiving any further contracts for public works," he said.
Citing Section 194 of the Constitution, Masaraure argued that the arrangement violates principles of transparency, fairness and honesty in public administration. He also pointed to Section 315, which mandates competitive, cost-effective and corruption-free procurement processes.
"When a company with ties to the ruling party is awarded a tender, it directly contravenes these principles," he said. "It creates a perception of influence and quid pro quo, undermining public trust and the fair use of public assets for the benefit of all Zimbabweans."
Masaraure further argued that companies such as Fossils, whose owners are known donors to Zanu-PF, should also be barred from tendering due to irreconcilable conflicts of interest.
Drawing comparisons with international practice, he noted that both the Philippines and the United States explicitly prohibit government contractors from donating to political parties, describing these bans as vital safeguards against "pay-to-play" politics.
"The public's money should be used to build a better future, not to fund political campaigns," Masaraure said. "The urgent task is to approach the courts seeking a declarator barring benefactors of political parties and party-owned entities from being contracted on public works projects. Parliament should also amend procurement and political financing laws to integrate these changes."
The explosive claims add a new dimension to Zanu-PF's succession struggle, already marked by factional rivalries between Mnangagwa, Chiwenga, and powerful business figures like Tagwirei. With the party's annual conference looming next month, the fallout from Chiwenga's bombshell is expected to deepen divisions within the ruling elite.
Source - online
