Opinion / Columnist
ZANU PF's Rotten Triangle: Mnangagwa, Chiwenga, Tagwirei - Who Bleeds First?
17 hrs ago | 541 Views
The script is familiar when it comes to Zimbabwe's power matrix. Chiwenga gave Mnangagwa an inch, but Mnangagwa snatched a mile. Even in his wildest calculations, Chiwenga never imagined Mnangagwa would disappoint this deeply. The comrade-to-comrade power transfer arrangement is an open secret among Zimbabweans - a handover behind the backs of voters. Something went seriously wrong. The transfer never happened. The former was short-changed by the latter.
Now Chiwenga wants Tagwirei arrested. But the reason is unconvincing. Tagwirei didn't directly loot state coffers - he was granted soft procurement deals by his godfather, Mnangagwa. He supplied vital energy services, timed perfectly to enrich himself. If reason leaves the room, who is the real Chigananda - Chiwenga or Tagwirei?
Tagwirei is suffering from a failed arrangement. He must be thrown in prison, not for corruption, but because he's a threat to the looming power exchange. His ascension to Politburo membership is murky - even Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa was unhappy about it. The leadership race is tightening. Mnangagwa is ageing, and his term ends in 2028. If Tagwirei is to be jailed, then Chiwenga should be first through the prison gates. The godfather who granted those procurement deals must face justice too.
Chiwenga loses moral ground if he fears confronting Mnangagwa and instead vents his anger on Tagwirei.
There are many who should face prison - and Tagwirei isn't top of the list. Chiwenga owes the nation an explanation: what happened to the US$15 billion in Marange diamond revenues? It's hard to justify imprisoning Tagwirei when hardened criminals masquerade as national leaders. It's established that both Chiwenga and Mugabe benefited from those diamond revenues. It would make more sense if Chiwenga turned himself in for embezzlement.
ZANU PF, including Chiwenga, has committed multiple human rights abuses - none of which involved Tagwirei. Chiwenga has no moral right to demand Tagwirei's imprisonment as if he were a saint. Under normal circumstances, Chiwenga should be in The Hague alongside Mnangagwa, charged with crimes against humanity and genocide.
If the wages of Zimbabwean soldiers deployed to the DRC were looted by Chiwenga and Mnangagwa, why were they spared prison?
Let's not forget Murambatsvina in 2003 and the post-election violence of 2008, when ZANU PF lost to MDC-T. Comparing Chiwenga's heinous crimes with Tagwirei's government-sanctioned procurement deals does not justify Tagwirei's imprisonment.
ZANU PF has a long history of jailing innocent citizens without charge - starting with Generals Lookout Masuku and Dumiso Dabengwa. Chiwenga has failed to unseat Mnangagwa. Tagwirei is now the scapegoat - a vomiting bucket for Chiwenga's political indigestion.
Something has gone wrong in the power transfer. Who is the weakest link? Tagwirei. When it comes to looting national revenues, Tagwirei is a saint by comparison.
If Tagwirei were sent to prison, he wouldn't be spared. He wouldn't come out alive. He'd be eliminated - a rival removed from the power contest. If Chiwenga assumed power, all hell would break loose. He is uneducated, with a record of failure - military, political, and marital. Mugabe warned him: never give power to Mnangagwa. The rest is history. Tagwirei is now a sheep on the slaughter table.
African nations ruled by ignorant leaders suffer deeply. Progress is impossible under leadership like Chiwenga's. Yet many in Mashonaland have already forgiven him for crimes against humanity. Citizens of good standing and advanced education believe Chiwenga could redeem the nation. A dangerous illusion. Africa is frozen in time - and will remain so for generations.
What change would Chiwenga bring? What would he improve? It's time Zimbabweans wake up. Believing Chiwenga will transform Zimbabwe into a modern, progressive nation is retrogressive.
"The Mnangagwa–Chiwenga rivalry will shape Zimbabwe's next chapter. History suggests Zimbabwe's succession fights rarely end quietly. The poison stories and coup whispers are not mere gossip; they are early warning signs."
Now Chiwenga wants Tagwirei arrested. But the reason is unconvincing. Tagwirei didn't directly loot state coffers - he was granted soft procurement deals by his godfather, Mnangagwa. He supplied vital energy services, timed perfectly to enrich himself. If reason leaves the room, who is the real Chigananda - Chiwenga or Tagwirei?
Tagwirei is suffering from a failed arrangement. He must be thrown in prison, not for corruption, but because he's a threat to the looming power exchange. His ascension to Politburo membership is murky - even Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa was unhappy about it. The leadership race is tightening. Mnangagwa is ageing, and his term ends in 2028. If Tagwirei is to be jailed, then Chiwenga should be first through the prison gates. The godfather who granted those procurement deals must face justice too.
Chiwenga loses moral ground if he fears confronting Mnangagwa and instead vents his anger on Tagwirei.
There are many who should face prison - and Tagwirei isn't top of the list. Chiwenga owes the nation an explanation: what happened to the US$15 billion in Marange diamond revenues? It's hard to justify imprisoning Tagwirei when hardened criminals masquerade as national leaders. It's established that both Chiwenga and Mugabe benefited from those diamond revenues. It would make more sense if Chiwenga turned himself in for embezzlement.
ZANU PF, including Chiwenga, has committed multiple human rights abuses - none of which involved Tagwirei. Chiwenga has no moral right to demand Tagwirei's imprisonment as if he were a saint. Under normal circumstances, Chiwenga should be in The Hague alongside Mnangagwa, charged with crimes against humanity and genocide.
If the wages of Zimbabwean soldiers deployed to the DRC were looted by Chiwenga and Mnangagwa, why were they spared prison?
Let's not forget Murambatsvina in 2003 and the post-election violence of 2008, when ZANU PF lost to MDC-T. Comparing Chiwenga's heinous crimes with Tagwirei's government-sanctioned procurement deals does not justify Tagwirei's imprisonment.
ZANU PF has a long history of jailing innocent citizens without charge - starting with Generals Lookout Masuku and Dumiso Dabengwa. Chiwenga has failed to unseat Mnangagwa. Tagwirei is now the scapegoat - a vomiting bucket for Chiwenga's political indigestion.
Something has gone wrong in the power transfer. Who is the weakest link? Tagwirei. When it comes to looting national revenues, Tagwirei is a saint by comparison.
If Tagwirei were sent to prison, he wouldn't be spared. He wouldn't come out alive. He'd be eliminated - a rival removed from the power contest. If Chiwenga assumed power, all hell would break loose. He is uneducated, with a record of failure - military, political, and marital. Mugabe warned him: never give power to Mnangagwa. The rest is history. Tagwirei is now a sheep on the slaughter table.
African nations ruled by ignorant leaders suffer deeply. Progress is impossible under leadership like Chiwenga's. Yet many in Mashonaland have already forgiven him for crimes against humanity. Citizens of good standing and advanced education believe Chiwenga could redeem the nation. A dangerous illusion. Africa is frozen in time - and will remain so for generations.
What change would Chiwenga bring? What would he improve? It's time Zimbabweans wake up. Believing Chiwenga will transform Zimbabwe into a modern, progressive nation is retrogressive.
"The Mnangagwa–Chiwenga rivalry will shape Zimbabwe's next chapter. History suggests Zimbabwe's succession fights rarely end quietly. The poison stories and coup whispers are not mere gossip; they are early warning signs."
Source - Nomazulu Thata
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