Zimbabwe News Update
zimeye
3 min read
Speaking at a feedback meeting with zanu pf supporters in chitungwiza on tuesday, tagwirei — a billionaire fuel and mining magnate widely viewed as mnangagwa’s chief financier and political enforcer — argued that zimbabwe’s economic stability and development projects under mnangagwa’s leadership must not be disrupted. “we have seen a dramatic turnaround in infrastructure, currency stability, and investor confidence,” tagwirei said. “to disrupt this positive momentum now, at this critical juncture, would be to jeopardise the prosperity of all zimbabweans.
Amending our constitution to allow the president to see his vision through to 2030 is not just a political matter; it is an economic imperative for our nation.” his remarks, which drew applause from loyalists, came as fresh tensions simmer between mnangagwa’s allies and the chiwenga faction, which has long opposed efforts to extend mnangagwa’s presidency beyond the current constitutional limit. Tagwirei’s campaign is widely interpreted as an attempt to undermine vice president chiwenga, the former military general who led the 2017 coup that ousted robert mugabe and installed mnangagwa. Insiders say the relationship between the two men deteriorated soon after the coup, as mnangagwa consolidated power and sidelined military figures who had engineered his rise.
Chiwenga, who initially saw himself as mnangagwa’s eventual successor, has increasingly been isolated within the party’s inner circle. Tagwirei, who has amassed enormous wealth through his companysakunda holdings, controlling key sectors such as fuel, agriculture, and mining, has become mnangagwa’s most influential civilian ally, financing campaigns, infrastructure projects, and zanu pf patronage networks. Political analysts note that tagwirei’s growing political visibility within zanu pf structures signals a shift from backroom influence to overt political positioning, designed to neutralise the military-linked faction loyal to chiwenga. His recent appointment to the zanu pf central committee and frequent appearances at provincial meetings are seen as part of this broader strategy.
At the chitungwiza event, zanu pf harare provincial chairpersongodwills masimirembwadescribed tagwirei’s proposal as both “legal and popular,” arguing that “the constitution is a living document that exists to serve the people.
When national interest demands it, we have both the right and duty to adjust it.” harare provincial affairs and devolution ministercharles tavengwainsisted the proposal did not amount to a third term, saying, “this is not a new term — we are simply seeking a two-year extension to complete the national development strategy 1 and launch its successor.” politburo memberomega hungweadded a gendered appeal, claiming mnangagwa’s administration had “empowered women, youth, and communities” and that “supporting this amendment means expanding these gains for all zimbabweans.” the event marked tagwirei’s second major public appearance since joining the zanu pf central committee.
Over the weekend, he addressed the harare provincial coordinating committee, declaring his readiness to serve the party and the president in any capacity. “i have been working with you, but now you have given me another task,” he told delegates. “whatever president mnangagwa sends me to do, i deliver.” observers view tagwirei’s public loyalty pledges as part of a broader succession strategy to secure mnangagwa’s continued rule and block any potential challenge from chiwenga. Political insiders say the push for a constitutional amendment mirrors mugabe’s own tactics in the early 2000s, when zanu pf used constitutional revisions to entrench executive power. The rift between mnangagwa and chiwenga traces back to the aftermath of the 2017 military coup.
While chiwenga expected to wield significant influence in government, mnangagwa systematically weakened his military allies through cabinet reshuffles, judicial appointments, and corruption probes targeting army-linked business interests. Tagwirei’s rapid rise as mnangagwa’s financier and confidant has deepened the divide. The vice president has reportedly accused him of capturing key state institutions through opaque contracts, including the controversialcommand agriculture programme, which auditors linked to massive public fund leakages. Source:zimeye
