Tungwarara's ZANU‑PF membership stirs constitutional discord

HARARE - President Emmerson Mnangagwa's advisor, Paul Temptor Tungwarara, has come under public scrutiny over his legitimacy as a ZANU‑PF member following attempts by Manicaland provincial structures to parachute him into the party's Central Committee. Analysts and legal experts warn the move amounts to a constitutional violation and risks widening internal fissures.

The contestation comes days after some officials in Manicaland disclosed their intention to endorse Tungwarara to fill a post left vacant when Mabika was elevated to the women's league.

Political analyst Reason Wafawarova commented on social media that power in Zimbabwe rarely collapses because it is defeated, but because it loses moral authority. He said authority without legitimacy is mere noise.

"Tungwarara's rise was never rooted in ideology, policy or party history. It was rooted in proximity to the Presidency and control of Presidential Schemes. Boreholes, houses, solar panels and war veterans' funds were not development tools; they were political amplifiers," Wafawarova said.

"They created an illusion of authority: that he could summon crowds, issue threats, silence dissent, and behave as if he were a parallel power centre in ZANU‑PF. But here is the rule Tungwarara forgot: access is not legitimacy. And once legitimacy is questioned, access becomes a liability. The defining feature of Tungwarara's recent politics has not been leadership — it has been threats," he added.

"Threats of expulsion, threats of political annihilation, threats wrapped in religious language and presidential name‑dropping. This is always the last phase of borrowed power. Strong leaders persuade whilst weak leaders intimidate," Wafawarova declared.

He argued that Tungwarara's moral authority has collapsed on three fronts: political legitimacy, ethical credibility and spiritual authority. He said Tungwarara has no liberation credentials, no party lineage and no electoral history to justify supremacy over seasoned cadres. He added that sudden wealth and opaque schemes have undermined his ethical credibility, while intimidation politics have destroyed his spiritual authority.

Meanwhile, lawyer and Buhera West legislator Tafadzwa Mugwadi lashed out on his X account, calling Tungwarara a nonentity with no party membership record.

"You were absent from both the ballot and the party in 2018 and 2023. Now, instead of using your given opportunity to show your skill, you start seeking gun salutes and red carpets," Mugwadi fumed.

Patrick Chinamasa, regarded as Manicaland's provincial godfather, joined other senior figures in raising objections. The party's national political commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, nullified the attempted co‑option.

However, ZANU‑PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said only the Politburo would determine Tungwarara's fate, leaving open the possibility of a second attempt at co‑option.