Mafa accuses presidential advisor of 'public bribery'over vehicle offer to government critic

Political activist and Zambezia Economic Movement founder Devine Mafa has sharply criticised Presidential Investment Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara following a widely discussed social media exchange involving government critic Rutendo Matinyarare.


In a strongly worded statement posted on X on Saturday, Mafa accused Tungwarara of conducting what he described as “a public bribe” after the presidential advisor publicly offered Matinyarare a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series ahead of a proposed roundtable discussion.

The controversy erupted after Tungwarara urged Matinyarare to “de‑escalate” attacks against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and invited him to dialogue, saying the luxury vehicle was “the first condition” for the upcoming meeting.

Matinyarare, who had recently intensified criticism of politically connected elites and senior government figures, accepted the offer and signalled willingness to pursue reconciliation talks.

Reacting to the development, Mafa said the incident reflected a broader culture of political patronage in Zimbabwe.

“You just conducted a public bribe on Twitter and called it a debt settlement,” Mafa wrote.

“This is why Zimbabwe ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world. Not because corruption happens in the dark. Because it happens in the open and nobody is supposed to say anything.”

Mafa further accused Tungwarara of using wealth and influence to silence critics rather than addressing grievances through institutional processes.

He also criticised growing calls from some political voices for Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga to eventually assume the presidency, arguing that Zimbabwe already has significant military influence within civilian leadership structures.

“Zimbabwe already has a president who is a former soldier, a First Vice President who is a general, and a Second Vice President who is a retired soldier,” Mafa said.

“We reject it completely. No car. No roundtable. No military presidency.”

The exchange has intensified debate on social media over political patronage, reconciliation efforts and the relationship between wealth, power and influence in Zimbabwean politics, with users dissecting the implications for governance and accountability on platforms such as Zimbabwe political X‑space discussions.

Dr Tungwarara has publicly defended his engagement approach, insisting that his efforts are aimed at promoting unity and protecting President Mnangagwa from what he called “unfounded attacks”.

The matter continues to generate widespread public discussion online.