Zanu-PF says no to businessmen's donations associated with Mnangagwa

The ruling Zanu-PF party has signalled that donations associated with the party or President Emmerson Mnangagwa should be channelled through established party structures rather than individual initiatives, following growing internal debate over gifts of vehicles and cash by businessmen linked to the party.

The move comes amid reported tensions within Zanu-PF over high-profile donations that party members say have increasingly served personal rather than organisational interests.

Speaking on the matter, Zanu-PF Director of Information Farai Marapira said the party's concern was not with philanthropy itself, but with donations publicly linked to the President or the ruling party.

"I believe the issue is not about what individuals choose to do through their philanthropy for the betterment of their fellow citizens. Where we have concerns is when donations are connected to the President or to the party. Zanu-PF has its own structures, procedures and mechanisms through which such matters are handled and managed," Marapira said.

He stressed that the party does not seek to regulate charitable giving undertaken privately.

"The party cannot regulate an individual's philanthropy outside its structures. People give each other money every day. People make donations to one another every day. People lend each other money every day. This is part of normal human social behaviour," he said.

However, he said donations presented as being made on behalf of, or associated with, President Mnangagwa or Zanu-PF become matters of party governance.

"When donations are associated with His Excellency the President or with the party at large, then, of course, the party has a responsibility to address those matters," he said.

Marapira's comments follow concerns publicly raised by members of the Zanu-PF Youth League regarding donations linked to the President or the party and whether they should instead be administered through official party structures.

He acknowledged that the Youth League's concerns were valid and deserved serious consideration.

"We have seen instances where the Youth League leadership has raised concerns about these donations and their impact. Those concerns cannot be ignored. They cannot be brushed aside. They are legitimate concerns that deserve consideration, and it is the responsibility of the party leadership to address them," he said.

Marapira said the issues would be dealt with through the party's internal decision-making processes.

"The party will assess such issues, and its members will express their views to ensure that, as we move forward as a society, we do so within the principles, values and defining characteristics of the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF."

He dismissed suggestions that the public debate reflected divisions within the ruling party.

"It may appear as though there are arguments or that we are fighting, but that is not the case. It is simply a matter of guiding one another on how donations related to the party should be handled," he said.

Although he did not announce any immediate policy changes, Marapira expressed confidence that the party leadership would act where necessary.

"We are led by the President, and I am confident that any necessary corrections will be made," he said.

He also rejected claims that the debate pointed to factionalism within Zanu-PF.

"Not every mistake is made out of malice. Some mistakes arise from a lack of knowledge. Therefore, when we see members of the party speaking on these issues at any level, we should not describe it as division. We should not call it factionalism, nor should we call it hatred," he said.

Instead, Marapira described the discussions as evidence of an organisation reviewing and strengthening its internal governance.

"We should recognise it for what it is: a party that is constantly evaluating itself and its members while clarifying where the boundaries lie. There are no divisions," he said.