Mnangagwa clips Tungwarara's wings

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly moved to rein in his investment adviser, Tempter Paul Tungwarara, after reprimanding him for using divisive language at party-linked rallies where he has launched sharp attacks on political rivals.

The development follows a controversial rally in Nyanga last weekend, where Tungwarara went on a public tirade against Zanu-PF central committee member and party benefactor Kudakwashe Tagwirei. During the address, Tungwarara accused Tagwirei of pressuring President Mnangagwa to dismiss Vice-Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi.

At the rally, held under the banner of an Empowerment Fund, Tungwarara also dished out cash to two Zanu-PF constituencies in Manicaland. However, his remarks and growing political posturing are said to have unsettled senior party leaders.

A source close to developments said Mnangagwa was "not amused" by Tungwarara's utterances, which have since drawn criticism from prominent Zanu-PF figures, including Deputy National Youth League Commissar Taurai Kandishaya.

Kandishaya openly questioned Tungwarara's role and mandate 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.

"Are we not in recruitment mode as a party? I had to check when last he brought investors into the country, as per his mandate. It seems investors lost trust in him, hence this rush to wield internal power and name-dropping."

Kandishaya also challenged Tungwarara's involvement in domestic political mobilisation, noting that his appointment was limited to serving as Presidential Investment Adviser to the United Arab Emirates.

"Manicaland is not part of the UAE. Is it?" he asked.

Factional tensions within the ruling party appear to have intensified following Tungwarara's remarks in Manicaland, where he questioned the leadership credentials of Tagwirei, arguing that wealth does not equate to leadership.

"Leadership is about character and service, not money," Tungwarara told supporters.

"The character of a true leader is revealed even in small responsibilities, such as herding cattle. You cannot simply believe that having money qualifies you to become President. Leadership is about being anointed by God."

His comments were widely interpreted as a direct attack on Tagwirei, whose political influence within Zanu-PF is perceived to be growing. The remarks drew loud applause from the crowd, which included Zanu-PF politburo member Christopher Mutsvangwa, a known critic of Tagwirei.

Former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has since warned that Tungwarara risks being consumed by Zanu-PF's internal factional battles. Writing on social media, Mliswa said Tungwarara was being manipulated by senior figures aligned to Vice-President Chiwenga's faction.

According to Mliswa, the presence of figures such as Mutsvangwa at the Manicaland rally suggested that Tungwarara's attack on Tagwirei was part of a broader, coordinated strategy to undermine the businessman politically.

"With the likes of Chris, who has years of scheming and chasing after power, my friend Tungwarara becomes a victim whose innocent excitement may one day choke him," Mliswa said.

Zanu-PF is increasingly divided by succession politics ahead of the end of Mnangagwa's term in 2028. Both Tagwirei and Tungwarara are reportedly positioning themselves for higher office, while Vice-President Chiwenga remains widely viewed as a leading contender, having played a central role in the 2017 military intervention that ended Robert Mugabe's rule.

Against this backdrop, Mnangagwa's reported move to clip Tungwarara's wings is seen as an attempt to contain escalating factionalism and restore discipline within the party.