By Chipo Musarurwa Siziba
In a revealing episode of ZANU-PF’s ongoing internal power struggles, party legal secretary Patrick Chinamasa has openly challenged party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa’s criticism of controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei. This confrontation exposes deepening factional divisions within the ruling party.
According to a ZimLive report, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga presented a dossier alleging that Tagwirei siphoned off at least US$3.2 billion through ZANU-PF’s covert 45% stake in Sakunda Holdings. This stake, reportedly established during Robert Mugabe’s presidency, was held in trust by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, and Chinamasa himself. Instead of returning dividends to the party, General Chiwenga claimed, the funds were diverted to build loyalty networks, with figures such as Wicknell Chivayo, Scott Sakupwanya, and Delish Nguwaya acting as intermediaries for Tagwirei’s influence.
Christopher Mutsvangwa launched a scathing attack on Tagwirei’s inclusion in ZANU-PF’s Central Committee. He accused Harare province of being “compromised” and suggested that financial inducements secured Tagwirei’s political elevation. Mutsvangwa warned that Tagwirei’s wealth was being used as a weapon against the party, describing it as a “boomerang” threatening ZANU-PF’s internal discipline.
Chinamasa responded forcefully, dismissing Mutsvangwa’s objections as “misinformation and disinformation.” He defended Tagwirei’s nomination as both procedurally sound and politically legitimate, emphasizing that the Harare Provincial Coordinating Committee had recommended Tagwirei, and the Politburo—chaired by General Chiwenga—had approved the move twice. “The matter is irreversibly settled,” Chinamasa declared, attributing the backlash to factional anxiety and social media hysteria.
This dispute goes beyond committee appointments; it represents a proxy battle over control of ZANU-PF’s future. Tagwirei’s rise, backed by significant financial clout and strategic patronage, signals a shift in power dynamics that threatens established factions. Chinamasa’s defense may reflect loyalty but also a calculated alignment with Mnangagwa’s camp, which views Tagwirei as a valuable long-term asset. Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa’s opposition highlights fears that moneyed interests are hollowing out the party, eroding ideological cohesion in favor of transactional politics.
