Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF in Turmoil as Chiwenga Confronts Mnangagwa Over “Party Capture” by Business Tycoon

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party is facing its most significant internal crisis in years following a dramatic confrontation between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga over the alleged influence of billionaire businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei. The extraordinary clash, which occurred during a closed-door party meeting, exposes deep fractures within the ruling party and concerns about the capture of state institutions by private interests.

According to an explosive report by ZimLive, the vice president directly challenged Mnangagwa over Tagwirei’s extensive influence on government appointments, policy decisions, and resource allocation. The confrontation represents the most public manifestation of long-simmering tensions within Zimbabwe’s political elite and could signal a significant realignment within the ruling party.

Tagwirei, a controversial businessman who has amassed considerable wealth through government contracts and preferential treatment, has become a symbol of the perceived corruption and cronyism that critics say has characterized Mnangagwa’s administration since he took power following the 2017 military-assisted transition.

The Confrontation: Unprecedented Challenge to Presidential Authority

Sources familiar with the meeting described an extraordinary scene where Chiwenga, a former army general who played a crucial role in Mnangagwa’s rise to power, directly questioned the president’s relationship with Tagwirei and the businessman’s influence over party and state affairs. The vice president reportedly presented evidence of what he characterized as “party capture” by private business interests.

Chiwenga’s challenge is particularly significant given his background as a key architect of the military operation that led to former president Robert Mugabe’s resignation. His willingness to confront Mnangagwa openly suggests deteriorating relations between the two most powerful figures in Zimbabwean politics and potentially shifting alliances within ZANU-PF.

“We cannot pretend anymore that this party and government are not being run by external forces whose interests conflict with our revolutionary values,” Chiwenga reportedly told the meeting. “When a single individual has more influence on appointments and policy than the party structures, we have a serious problem that must be addressed.”

Tagwirei’s Empire: From Fuel to Influence

Kudakwashe Tagwirei, through his Sakunda Holdings, has built a business empire spanning fuel, agriculture, mining, and financial services. His companies have benefited extensively from government contracts, including a controversial command agriculture program that opposition figures and transparency advocates have criticized as opaque and potentially corrupt.

The businessman has been subject to international sanctions by the United States and United Kingdom for allegations of corruption and undermining democratic processes. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has described him as a “regime insider” who exploits his relationships with senior officials for personal gain.

Tagwirei’s influence extends beyond business, with reports suggesting he plays a significant role in determining political appointments and even influencing policy decisions, particularly in the energy and agricultural sectors where his companies have major interests.

Broader Implications: Factional Warfare and Succession Politics

The confrontation between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga reflects deeper factional divisions within ZANU-PF that have intensified as the country moves closer to the next electoral cycle. Analysts suggest the conflict may represent early jockeying for position in the eventual succession battle that will determine who leads the party and country in the post-Mnangagwa era.

Chiwenga, who has historically maintained strong ties to the military and intelligence services, appears to be positioning himself as a reformer within the party, potentially seeking to distance himself from the perceived corruption of Mnangagwa’s inner circle. This positioning could help him build broader support within party structures and potentially with international actors seeking reform in Zimbabwe.

Political analyst Professor Eldred Masunungure noted: “This confrontation isn’t just about Tagwirei—it’s about the soul of ZANU-PF and the future direction of the country. Chiwenga is making a calculated gamble that there’s sufficient discontent within the party to challenge the president’s authority on this issue.”

Economic Context: Crisis and Cronyism

The internal party conflict occurs against a backdrop of persistent economic challenges, including hyperinflation, currency instability, and widespread poverty. The perception that connected elites like Tagwirei prosper while ordinary Zimbabweans struggle has created growing public resentment and potentially weakened ZANU-PF’s political standing.

International financial institutions have repeatedly called for greater transparency in government contracting and economic management as a condition for support. The International Monetary Fund has specifically raised concerns about the lack of transparency in programs like command agriculture, which have benefited Tagwirei’s operations.

The controversy also comes as Zimbabwe seeks to reengage with international creditors and normalize relations with Western nations, a process that requires demonstrating commitment to governance reforms and anti-corruption measures.

Regional and International Dimensions

The internal ZANU-PF turmoil has implications beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. Neighboring countries, particularly South Africa, have invested significant diplomatic effort in facilitating Zimbabwe’s reintegration into the international community. A public power struggle within the ruling party could complicate these efforts and renew regional concerns about stability in Zimbabwe.

Western governments, including the United States and European Union, have made clear that normalization of relations depends on concrete reforms addressing governance, human rights, and corruption. The Tagwirei case has become a focal point in these discussions, with international actors viewing his influence as indicative of broader systemic issues.

Potential Outcomes: Reform, Purge, or Stalemate

Political observers are watching carefully to see how Mnangagwa responds to this unprecedented challenge to his authority. Several scenarios appear possible:

• Concessions to Reformers: The president could acknowledge concerns about Tagwirei’s influence and implement measures to reduce the businessman’s role in government affairs, potentially including greater transparency in contracting.
• Political Purge: Mnangagwa might move against Chiwenga and his allies, removing them from positions of influence and reasserting his control over party structures.
• Strategic Compromise: The factions could reach an uneasy compromise that maintains surface unity while addressing some of the concerns raised about Tagwirei’s influence.
• Escalating Conflict: The confrontation could intensify, leading to open factional warfare within ZANU-PF that might eventually involve state institutions including the military and security services.

Historical Parallels: Echoes of Past Power Struggles

The current conflict evokes memories of previous power struggles within ZANU-PF, particularly the factional battles that eventually led to Mugabe’s ouster. Like the current situation, those conflicts often pitted different wings of the party against each other and involved debates about corruption, external influence, and the direction of the country.

However, the explicit focus on a specific business individual and the concept of “party capture” represents a new dimension in these internal disputes, reflecting the growing influence of wealthy business figures in African politics and the particular challenges of resource-rich but governance-poor nations.

Conclusion: A Turning Point for Zimbabwean Politics

The confrontation between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga over Tagwirei’s influence represents a potential turning point in Zimbabwean politics. However the immediate conflict is resolved, it has exposed significant tensions within the ruling party and raised fundamental questions about the relationship between political power and economic interests in Zimbabwe.

The outcome of this internal struggle will have profound implications not only for ZANU-PF’s unity and future direction but also for Zimbabwe’s economic prospects, international relations, and governance trajectory. As the situation develops, it will test the resilience of Zimbabwe’s political institutions and the commitment of its leadership to addressing the corruption and cronyism that have long hampered the country’s development.

For ordinary Zimbabweans, the power struggle offers both concern and potential hope—concern about possible instability, but hope that increased scrutiny of corrupt relationships might eventually lead to more accountable governance and fairer distribution of the country’s resources.