Watch Live as Gambakwe looks at the bizarre story that has been told by UK based Zimbabwe journalist, Maynard Manyowa.
A public feud on X between investigative journalist Maynard Manyowa (@iAmKudaMaynard) and defender Tinotenda Gacha (@TinotendaGacha1), centered on allegations that Dr. Paul Tungwarara misled President Emmerson Mnangagwa with a fabricated €300 billion Iranian sanctions-bypassing cash deal, leading to wasted presidential time and resources. Gacha counters that Manyowa fabricated the story out of personal grudge after Tungwarara rejected his request for a paid meeting (“bag”) in Kenya about two weeks earlier.
Key Actors:
- Maynard Manyowa: Accuser; claims Tungwarara hyped fake investments (including the Iranian funds and stalled Mt Hampden Cyber City) and questions his “Dr” title.
- Tinotenda Gacha: Defender; accuses Manyowa of motive-driven fabrication and highlights Tungwarara’s contributions (boreholes, hospitals, village business units).
- Dr. Paul Tungwarara: Central figure accused of the scam; no direct public comments from him; portrayed as a presidential investment adviser with UAE ties and mixed project delivery record.
- Other voices: Analysts like @JasperMhaka (debunking logistics of €300bn cash) and various citizen replies questioning evidence, titles, and motives on both sides.
Tungwarara in Kenya: No public evidence confirms Tungwarara was in Kenya around mid-to-late March 2026. The claim comes solely from Gacha’s defensive thread as the alleged location of Manyowa’s rejected meeting request. It remains unverified.
Wicknell Chivayo in Kenya: Wicknell was in Kenya on March 31, 2026 (yesterday relative to April 1), visiting President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi. He frequently visits Kenya (described as his “second home”) with documented trips in January 2026 and earlier. However, no public confirmation exists of him being there exactly “two weeks ago” (mid-March 2026) in relation to the Tungwarara/Manyowa feud. Wicknell is not mentioned in the original feud posts.
Overall Dynamic: The narrative is a classic “he said, they said” Zimbabwean social media spat with no hard evidence (photos, messages, or third-party confirmation) posted by either side yet. Public reactions are polarized, often skeptical of both claims, logistics, and motives. The story remains live and contained mostly to X as of April 1, 2026.
Detailed Post – 31 March 2026
“Tungwaz told ED that he knew people who had access to 300bn euros of money taken away from Iran due to sanctions. The money needed to be removed from Switzerland and sent somewhere. The deal was the 300 billion comes to Zimbabwe, and the facilitators get half, and Zim keeps half. HE was told this was a scam. He believed Tungwarara and they even arranged a ceremony and were given a date. Airport security beefed up and ED cleared his day waiting for an aeroplane with ‘bags of cash’ to land. He waited the whole day for the bags of money”
Key supporting context from Manyowa’s related post (30 March 2026):
“The way the president buys into fake investment schemes is amazing. The project itself was never going anywhere but it got Tungwaz the influence he needed. Funny at the same time HE was duped into believing Zim would get €300bn of Iran’s “sanctions” money & Zim gets half “
