Tagwirei, Tungwarara factions collide

The battle for influence around President Emmerson Mnangagwa has shifted to Manicaland, where a growing rivalry between businessmen Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Paul Tungwarara is exposing factional tensions and succession undercurrents within Zanu PF.

The feud between the two businessmen-turned-politicians highlights the intense competition among Mnangagwa loyalists for influence, resources and political relevance as questions over the ruling party's future leadership continue to simmer beneath the surface.

According to party sources, a pledge by Tagwirei, delivered through his ally Obey Chimuka at the funeral of Harry Dumba in Makoni district on Monday, sparked discontent among senior Zanu PF figures aligned to Tungwarara.

Dumba, a respected member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, was the uncle of Zanu PF Makoni district chairperson Kudzi Chipanga.

Although Tagwirei did not attend the funeral, Chimuka announced that the businessman was prepared to bankroll development projects across Manicaland, a move that some party insiders interpreted as a direct challenge to Tungwarara's growing influence in the province.

"Some leaders, who were expected to attend the burial, withdrew after learning that Tagwirei would be the chief mourner," a source said.

"Tungwarara's allies viewed the move as an intrusion into a territory he has spent months building influence within party structures."

Tagwirei has sponsored a number of projects in Manicaland, including borehole drilling, road rehabilitation and charitable initiatives. During the funeral, Chimuka encouraged communities, particularly in Makoni, to submit development proposals for funding.

"Kudzi Chipanga is a fine young man whom we have been working with and Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei wants that relationship to continue," Chimuka said.

"If you have developmental programmes, bring them to us. We are willing to support projects that improve people's lives."

He said the initiative aligned with Mnangagwa's Vision 2030 agenda of ensuring that no community is left behind.

Sources also indicated that Tagwirei assisted with funeral expenses.

Expressing gratitude for the support, Chipanga described Tagwirei as one of Mnangagwa's loyal foot soldiers.

The latest tensions have revived a feud that erupted publicly in January when Tungwarara, director of Prevail Group International and Special Presidential Investment Adviser, launched a series of remarks widely interpreted as targeting Tagwirei.

At the time, Tungwarara accused unnamed individuals of using their wealth to buy influence, positioning themselves as potential successors to Mnangagwa and interfering in government appointments.

The comments triggered a backlash from figures aligned to Tagwirei, culminating in the suspension of Tungwarara's Presidential Economic Empowerment Revolving Fund and the withdrawal of approval for some of his projects.

By February, Tungwarara appeared to soften his stance, dismissing reports of a rift and describing Tagwirei as his "mentor and brother."

Political analyst Gideon Chitanga said the dispute reflected a broader contest for influence around the President.

"The key thing is that both men support President Mnangagwa because it serves their interests. They employ different tactics to gain favour and project influence, but the real test of their power will come when Zimbabwe's unresolved political questions are eventually settled," Chitanga said.

The rivalry has also spilled onto social media, where Zanu PF activists, commonly known as varakashi, have traded accusations from opposing camps backing either Tagwirei or Tungwarara.

The divisions became more visible after Tungwarara reportedly gifted social media influencer Rutendo Matinyarare a luxury vehicle and US$200,000, saying the gesture was intended to persuade him to stop attacking Mnangagwa and his family online.

Matinyarare had been sharing sensitive information about the President's family and claimed he was owed money by Tagwirei for lobbying efforts related to the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Some Zanu PF activists have alleged that Tungwarara's intervention was aimed at undermining his rival, further deepening perceptions of an escalating struggle for influence within Mnangagwa's inner circle.

While both men publicly profess loyalty to the President, developments in Manicaland suggest that competition among Mnangagwa's allies is intensifying, with local development projects, patronage networks and political influence increasingly becoming battlegrounds in the race for relevance within the ruling party.