By Investigations Reporter-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s close business associate, Kuda Tagwirei, has reportedly secured yet another lucrative government contract, raising concerns about corruption and the concentration of economic power in the hands of politically connected individuals.
Sources within the Ministry of Local Government confirmed that Tagwirei’s company has been awarded a multi-million dollar tender to oversee the reconstruction of Mbare Musika, Harare’s iconic market, which was recently devastated by a fire of unknown origin.
Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe recently approved the tender, believed to be part of a larger government plan to revamp infrastructure in the capital.
Last week, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere, during a post-cabinet briefing, announced that the government had partnered with a private company to spearhead the redevelopment of Mbare Musika under a Design, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Finance (DEPC+F) model.
The company involved was not named, but sources suggest it is linked to Tagwirei, a businessman with strong ties to the Mnangagwa administration.
Muswere stated that the DEPC+F model would ensure that high-quality facilities are completed and operational in the shortest possible time, allowing traders to resume business in a more organized environment, while also formalizing their operations to ensure proper tax payments.
He further hinted that the same model would be employed to upgrade other markets across Zimbabwe.
“The Harare City Council does not have the capacity to address these incidents,” Muswere explained, referring to the series of fires that have recently damaged several markets in Harare. “We are encouraging private sector involvement to support the government’s efforts in rebuilding these important economic hubs.”
Local Government Minister Garwe echoed these sentiments, stating that the government’s approach was moving away from the chaotic management of informal traders, which had been a persistent issue.
He revealed that the new Mbare Musika would feature modern, multi-story infrastructure, accommodating different sectors of traders, including hardware and ICT equipment vendors, on separate floors.
“We are all aware that Mbare Traders’ Market was generating over US$2 million per day,” Garwe said, emphasizing the economic importance of the site. “The damage from the fire is estimated to exceed US$20 million. It is a massive economy on its own, and we need to build structures that are resilient to climate change, fire, and other potential disasters.”
Kuda Tagwirei’s name has become synonymous with Mnangagwa’s administration, with the businessman often described as the president’s “frontman” in several key industries.
Through his company, Sakunda Holdings, Tagwirei controls a significant portion of Zimbabwe’s fuel supply, and his influence extends into various sectors, including mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
The latest Mbare Musika contract follows a pattern of lucrative government deals being funneled towards Tagwirei’s companies, raising suspicions of cronyism and corruption.
Despite numerous allegations of impropriety, Tagwirei has largely remained untouchable, benefitting from his close relationship with Mnangagwa, who ascended to power in 2017 after ousting long-time ruler Robert Mugabe.
Over the past few years, Tagwirei has been accused of using his political connections to secure government contracts and monopolise key industries, often at the expense of public transparency and accountability.
His name has been linked to several controversies, including the opaque Command Agriculture scheme, where billions of dollars in state funds were reportedly unaccounted for.
Critics argue that Tagwirei’s growing dominance in the economy is emblematic of the broader corruption and patronage networks that have flourished under Mnangagwa’s rule.
Despite promises of reform and economic revitalisation, the president’s administration has been marred by allegations of graft and a lack of meaningful action against powerful elites.
The awarding of the Mbare Musika contract to a company linked to Tagwirei has only heightened public concern over the government’s handling of tenders and its reliance on politically connected individuals.
Observers note that the exclusion of local councils and independent contractors from such projects undermines the capacity of local governance and reduces transparency.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Kuda Tagwirei were unsuccessful at the time of publication.