ZANU-PF youths turn on Mnangagwa's divisive adviser

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's adviser, Paul Tungwarara, has come under sharp criticism from ZANU-PF youths and activists, who accuse him of sowing divisions within the ruling party following a series of rallies he recently addressed in Manicaland province.

Tungwarara, who has attracted attention for distributing funds to party supporters at rallies, is alleged to have ruffled the feathers of some senior party financiers. Critics say he has accused certain ZANU-PF figures of harbouring ambitions to succeed President Mnangagwa once his constitutionally limited two terms come to an end.

The backlash intensified after two recent rallies held under the banner of an Empowerment Fund in Manicaland, which have reportedly angered sections of the ZANU-PF Youth League. Some youths are now openly questioning Tungwarara's role and mandate within the party.

ZANU-PF Deputy Commissar for the Youth League, Taurai Kandishaya, publicly challenged Tungwarara's activities, questioning whether they align with his official responsibilities as a presidential adviser.

"After watching yesterday's Nyanga rally, I had to ask myself, as a commissar, who Paul Tungwarara really is," Kandishaya said. "Does he know we're in recruitment mode? I had to check the last time he brought investors into the country, as per his mandate."

Kandishaya further questioned Tungwarara's focus on internal party mobilisation, arguing that his appointment as Presidential Investment Adviser was specific to the United Arab Emirates.

"Was he not appointed Presidential Investment Adviser to the United Arab Emirates only? Manicaland is not part of the UAE," he said, adding that the First Family's empowerment programmes had previously been "dignified and unifying".

Once seen as a key figure aligned with calls to extend President Mnangagwa's term beyond 2028, Tungwarara now appears to have fallen out of favour with sections of the party's youth wing. The businessman is also reportedly eyeing a seat on ZANU-PF's powerful Central Committee, a move that has heightened tensions with other party members positioning themselves for influence in a post-Mnangagwa era.

In recent weeks, Tungwarara has also claimed to have played a role in defusing outspoken war veteran Blessed Geza when he challenged President Mnangagwa to resign last year, a claim that has been disputed by other party-linked figures.

Meanwhile, Apphia Musavengana, founder of a ZANU-PF affiliate organisation, has publicly distanced herself from Tungwarara after he mentioned her in remarks made during his Manicaland engagements.

"Yes, I worked with you, but not under your instructions," Musavengana said in a social media post. "Both you and I did not have the powers to stop Geza. He was stopped by the security hierarchy and relevant institutions that ensured Zimbabwe remained peaceful."

She also questioned Tungwarara's understanding of his role.

"I don't hold any position and I don't wish to. One should understand their position and its mandate. Yours is to advise on investments. Do you know what it means?" she said.

The growing public criticism highlights simmering tensions within ZANU-PF as internal factions jostle for influence ahead of future leadership transitions.