Opinion / Columnist
Succession battle rages on
2 hrs ago |
151 Views
As the Mnangagwa faction continues to tighten its political bolts and nuts and frustrate the Chiwenga faction, the political circus in Zimbabwe is at a breaking point.
Kudakwashe Tagwirei, President Emmerson Mnangagwa's blue-eyed son, has been positioned in the Zanu-PF Politburo for the past two years.
On October 15, 2026, he was promoted to the position of Secretary for Economic Affairs and Investment Promotion in Zanu-PF's Politburo.
Vice President Chiwenga first blocked it for procedural infractions, but Mnangagwa disregarded it, and in October of last year, Tagwireyi was co-opted to the Central Committee via Harare Province Zone 5.
Following that, Mnangagwa continued, and in August 2026 he appointed him as a senator in accordance with Constitutional Amendment No. 3, which established seats for professionals.
He was recently promoted to Politburo in the same portfolio after being sworn in last week as the new Minister of Economic Development and Investment Promotion, a ministry that was separated from Finance to make room for his favorite man.
President Mnangagwa's self-serving agenda and the Munhumutapa emperor engine, his economic territory, are the only things he is doing for the nation.
In the event that Mnangagwa steps down from office, Tagwirei is positioned to succeed him and safeguard his wealth.
Mnangagwa undermines Zanu PF's claim that no one without war credentials can rule Zimbabwe by elevating a wealthy loyalist who lacks credentials from the liberation war.
It's currently open. It was a secret that Tagwirei, who funded the CAA3, was the man responsible for the term extension. This is a compensatory action now.
Despite his slow pace, VP Chiwenga has a secret weapon. There is really something under his sleeves. The two are going to have a difficult time flexing their muscles. Fast-tracking business magnate Tagwireyi has increased political tension within the Zanu PF house. Political experts like Obert Mpofu have already been demoted to an outdated position on the Council of Elders.
We have also seen Mayor Wadyajena being brought back to the feeding trough and romped into the Central Committee.
The Chiwenga camp that includes the generals/anti-corruption, war veterans, and some military and grassroots sympathizes with Chiwenga and resonates very well with the majority.
Zvigananda camp—The business/continuity of Mnangagwa loyalists, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, the late Wicknell Chivayo, and Scott Sakupwanya—the new tenderpreneurs makes Chiwenga camp gain more support.
Grassroots Zanu PF members who feel economic pain see Chiwenga as the "clean" alternative, even though he was also part of government for 40 years.
Will Chiwenga survive the Politburo reshuffle without being dropped completely? Only time will tell.
Email—konileonard606@gmail.com
X - @Leokoni
Kudakwashe Tagwirei, President Emmerson Mnangagwa's blue-eyed son, has been positioned in the Zanu-PF Politburo for the past two years.
On October 15, 2026, he was promoted to the position of Secretary for Economic Affairs and Investment Promotion in Zanu-PF's Politburo.
Vice President Chiwenga first blocked it for procedural infractions, but Mnangagwa disregarded it, and in October of last year, Tagwireyi was co-opted to the Central Committee via Harare Province Zone 5.
Following that, Mnangagwa continued, and in August 2026 he appointed him as a senator in accordance with Constitutional Amendment No. 3, which established seats for professionals.
He was recently promoted to Politburo in the same portfolio after being sworn in last week as the new Minister of Economic Development and Investment Promotion, a ministry that was separated from Finance to make room for his favorite man.
President Mnangagwa's self-serving agenda and the Munhumutapa emperor engine, his economic territory, are the only things he is doing for the nation.
In the event that Mnangagwa steps down from office, Tagwirei is positioned to succeed him and safeguard his wealth.
Mnangagwa undermines Zanu PF's claim that no one without war credentials can rule Zimbabwe by elevating a wealthy loyalist who lacks credentials from the liberation war.
It's currently open. It was a secret that Tagwirei, who funded the CAA3, was the man responsible for the term extension. This is a compensatory action now.
Despite his slow pace, VP Chiwenga has a secret weapon. There is really something under his sleeves. The two are going to have a difficult time flexing their muscles. Fast-tracking business magnate Tagwireyi has increased political tension within the Zanu PF house. Political experts like Obert Mpofu have already been demoted to an outdated position on the Council of Elders.
We have also seen Mayor Wadyajena being brought back to the feeding trough and romped into the Central Committee.
The Chiwenga camp that includes the generals/anti-corruption, war veterans, and some military and grassroots sympathizes with Chiwenga and resonates very well with the majority.
Zvigananda camp—The business/continuity of Mnangagwa loyalists, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, the late Wicknell Chivayo, and Scott Sakupwanya—the new tenderpreneurs makes Chiwenga camp gain more support.
Grassroots Zanu PF members who feel economic pain see Chiwenga as the "clean" alternative, even though he was also part of government for 40 years.
Will Chiwenga survive the Politburo reshuffle without being dropped completely? Only time will tell.
Email—konileonard606@gmail.com
X - @Leokoni
Source - Leonard Koni
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
