News / National
Tungwarara faces political isolation
1 hr ago |
84 Views
President Emmerson Mnangagwa's investment adviser, Paul Tungwarara, is reportedly facing increasing political isolation following a series of missteps and renewed attention to longstanding corruption allegations, party sources say.
Tungwarara's precarious position appears to have worsened after a high-level private meeting at the President's residence earlier this week. The gathering, which included top businessmen such as Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Ambassador-at-Large Eubert Angel, focused on party financing. During a brief photo session, Tungwarara positioned himself prominently beside President Mnangagwa, an image that quickly circulated on social media, drawing criticism from party insiders.
Sources note that Tungwarara had already been under pressure after Mnangagwa banned his rallies in Manicaland province last week, citing speeches that allegedly attacked the party leadership. A senior Zanu-PF official, speaking anonymously, revealed that Tungwarara has "multiple corruption-related dockets" dating back to at least 2016, describing them as a "sword of Damocles" that has left him politically vulnerable.
Further scrutiny surrounds his claim to the Environmental Management Authority that he holds "national exclusive rights" to rehabilitate river ecosystems across all provinces, a statement currently under review amid questions over its legitimacy.
Meanwhile, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who was absent from the meeting, publicly endorsed its agenda while making a veiled critique of Tungwarara, accusing unnamed officials of "destabilising the party"—a serious allegation within Zanu-PF ranks.
Political analysts say the combination of legal exposure, political miscalculation, and loss of patronage suggests Tungwarara's influence is waning. "When legal vulnerability meets political miscalculation and a loss of patronage, the outcome is almost always a fall from grace," one analyst observed.
Tungwarara has so far declined to comment on the reports. The developments highlight growing tensions within Mnangagwa's inner circle, as party insiders closely monitor the adviser's next moves.
Tungwarara's precarious position appears to have worsened after a high-level private meeting at the President's residence earlier this week. The gathering, which included top businessmen such as Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Ambassador-at-Large Eubert Angel, focused on party financing. During a brief photo session, Tungwarara positioned himself prominently beside President Mnangagwa, an image that quickly circulated on social media, drawing criticism from party insiders.
Sources note that Tungwarara had already been under pressure after Mnangagwa banned his rallies in Manicaland province last week, citing speeches that allegedly attacked the party leadership. A senior Zanu-PF official, speaking anonymously, revealed that Tungwarara has "multiple corruption-related dockets" dating back to at least 2016, describing them as a "sword of Damocles" that has left him politically vulnerable.
Further scrutiny surrounds his claim to the Environmental Management Authority that he holds "national exclusive rights" to rehabilitate river ecosystems across all provinces, a statement currently under review amid questions over its legitimacy.
Meanwhile, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who was absent from the meeting, publicly endorsed its agenda while making a veiled critique of Tungwarara, accusing unnamed officials of "destabilising the party"—a serious allegation within Zanu-PF ranks.
Political analysts say the combination of legal exposure, political miscalculation, and loss of patronage suggests Tungwarara's influence is waning. "When legal vulnerability meets political miscalculation and a loss of patronage, the outcome is almost always a fall from grace," one analyst observed.
Tungwarara has so far declined to comment on the reports. The developments highlight growing tensions within Mnangagwa's inner circle, as party insiders closely monitor the adviser's next moves.
Source - Newsday
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
