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Mnangagwa sucked into Zanu-PF succession battles
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa was drawn into Zanu-PF's intensifying internal factional battles over the weekend after stepping in to halt an event in Manicaland involving his investment adviser, Paul Tungwarara.
Tungwarara, a close ally of Zanu-PF politburo member and party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, had angered supporters of petroleum tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei by previously describing him as unfit to be president at a separate gathering in the province. Tagwirei is widely regarded as a potential successor to Mnangagwa, whose second and final term ends in 2028, with the 2027 elective congress expected to shape the succession race.
The controversy centred on a scheduled meeting in Mutare, where Tungwarara was due to oversee the disbursement of funds under the Presidential Economic Empowerment Revolving Fund. The fund allocates US$25,000 per constituency for development projects, officially under government oversight but administered along partisan lines.
In response to Tungwarara's earlier remarks, Tagwirei's backers, led by Zanu-PF political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha, moved behind the scenes to block the Mutare programme. On January 23, Machacha announced a “temporary suspension” of Tungwarara's activities, indicating that Zanu-PF secretary-general Jacob Mudenda would issue new guidelines on the distribution, utilisation, and management of the fund.
Tungwarara subsequently sought intervention from President Mnangagwa to overturn Machacha's suspension. Sources say Mnangagwa was reluctant to overrule his political commissar, reasoning that a temporary halt would cause no lasting prejudice and that the matter could be settled by the Zanu-PF politburo.
Following Mnangagwa's decision, Machacha issued a second directive on Saturday to the Manicaland provincial leadership, stating that the Presidential Economic Empowerment Programme in Mutare was postponed indefinitely. He added that Mudenda would provide guidance on the framework for relaunching the initiative.
The incident highlights the deepening factional rifts within Zanu-PF. With backing from First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and significant financial resources, Tagwirei has emerged as a key figure in the succession contest, alongside Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa has used his position as party spokesperson to promote his own political interests. His visible support for Tungwarara's criticism of Tagwirei underscores the alignment between the two men and further illustrates the factional tensions playing out in Manicaland ahead of the party's 2027 elective congress.
Tungwarara, a close ally of Zanu-PF politburo member and party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, had angered supporters of petroleum tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei by previously describing him as unfit to be president at a separate gathering in the province. Tagwirei is widely regarded as a potential successor to Mnangagwa, whose second and final term ends in 2028, with the 2027 elective congress expected to shape the succession race.
The controversy centred on a scheduled meeting in Mutare, where Tungwarara was due to oversee the disbursement of funds under the Presidential Economic Empowerment Revolving Fund. The fund allocates US$25,000 per constituency for development projects, officially under government oversight but administered along partisan lines.
In response to Tungwarara's earlier remarks, Tagwirei's backers, led by Zanu-PF political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha, moved behind the scenes to block the Mutare programme. On January 23, Machacha announced a “temporary suspension” of Tungwarara's activities, indicating that Zanu-PF secretary-general Jacob Mudenda would issue new guidelines on the distribution, utilisation, and management of the fund.
Tungwarara subsequently sought intervention from President Mnangagwa to overturn Machacha's suspension. Sources say Mnangagwa was reluctant to overrule his political commissar, reasoning that a temporary halt would cause no lasting prejudice and that the matter could be settled by the Zanu-PF politburo.
Following Mnangagwa's decision, Machacha issued a second directive on Saturday to the Manicaland provincial leadership, stating that the Presidential Economic Empowerment Programme in Mutare was postponed indefinitely. He added that Mudenda would provide guidance on the framework for relaunching the initiative.
The incident highlights the deepening factional rifts within Zanu-PF. With backing from First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and significant financial resources, Tagwirei has emerged as a key figure in the succession contest, alongside Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa has used his position as party spokesperson to promote his own political interests. His visible support for Tungwarara's criticism of Tagwirei underscores the alignment between the two men and further illustrates the factional tensions playing out in Manicaland ahead of the party's 2027 elective congress.
Source - zimlive
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