Popular liquor chain closure linked to Zanu PF wars

📅 Published: August 15, 2025

📰 Source: zimbabwesituation

Curated by AllZimNews.com

Sanyatwe was removed from the army ahead of planned March 31 protests, organised by war veteran Blessed Runesu Geza and other war veterans to pressure President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign.

He was reassigned as Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture minister, replacing Kirsty Coventry who assumed the International Olympic Committee presidency.

Geza levelled a number of accusations against Mnangagwa as he called on the President to step down.

The protests turned out to be a national shutdown.

NewsDay established that seven shops belonging to Madhadha were shut down by Zimra last week on allegations of breaching tax procedures.

Zimra officers allegedly shut down the outlets without allowing the company time to regularise operations, which is done under normal circumstances.

This triggered speculation that the closures are politically motivated and were sponsored by his Zanu PF political rivals from Manicaland, who are also targeting Sanyatwe.

Sanyatwe is believed to be backing Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga in the Zanu PF succession wars.

Chiwenga is seen as the front runner the race to succeed Mnangagwa.

Fuel and mining magnate Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s name has also been mentioned in the succession race, a claim he has denied.

Asked why Zimra was accompanied by Central Intelligence Organisation officers and whether this did not suggest that the closure of Madhadha was politically motivated, the tax authority said it was mandated not to disclose information about its clients. “The Zimra wishes to reaffirm that its operations are governed by statutory provisions which include a strict obligation to uphold taxpayer confidentiality,” Gladman Njani, the Zimra spokesperson, said. “In accordance with these provisions, Zimra does not disclose or engage in discussions regarding the tax affairs of any individual or corporate entity with third parties. ”Mambondiyani was not picking calls when attempts were made to get a comment from him, but Zanu PF sources from Manicaland maintained that the closure of Madhadha Liquor was politically motivated.

This is not the first time Mambondiyani has been targeted.