By Munacho Gwamanda-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched a fresh push for his 2030 agenda, even as he publicly insists that he will step down at the end of his second term in 2028.
Just last Monday, Mnangagwa told a select group of journalists that he would retire after completing his two constitutional terms.
However, his allies within Zanu PF, led by his so-called investment advisor Paul Tungwarara, are aggressively campaigning for his continued rule beyond 2028.
Tungwarara has been at the forefront of this effort, leveraging state resources and financial incentives to rally support for Mnangagwa’s extended stay in power.
Last week, he was in Makoni District launching borehole projects for war veterans while publicly declaring that Mnangagwa should remain in office beyond 2028.
On Tuesday, he reportedly distributed high-end smartphones to journalists—a move that has sparked ethical concerns about media independence.
Reports from Mashonaland West indicate that Tungwarara, who has recently emerged as Mnangagwa’s de facto campaign manager for 2030, handed out over 20 smartphones, including Samsung S25 and iPhone 16 Pro models, to journalists in the province.
Social media has since been flooded with messages from Zanu PF-aligned figures praising Tungwarara’s “generosity.” One user, @TinotendaGacha1, posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Thank you, Dr. Tungwarara, for your generous donation of 20 high-tech phones to journalists. Your commitment to enhancing digital communication and supporting media professionals is commendable. This initiative will undoubtedly aid in better showcasing the achievements of the Second Republic. We also appreciate the establishment of the journalist fund and the provision of monthly stipends to comrades for promoting EDWORKS. Your efforts are truly making a difference.”
Another Zanu PF supporter wrote:
“Presidential Investment Advisor, Dr. P. Tungwarara, makes a generous donation of 20 high-tech phones to journalists. In a move aimed at enhancing digital communication, the donation will facilitate social media engagement and reporting. It will be used to showcase the accomplishments and initiatives of the Second Republic, led by H.E. President ED Mnangagwa.”
Beyond the smartphone giveaways, reports suggest that 32 journalists are now receiving a $300 monthly stipend for promoting “EDWORKS,” a propaganda campaign supporting Mnangagwa’s leadership.
A special fund has also been set up to reward journalists actively engaged in pro-Mnangagwa social media campaigns.
Efforts to contact Tungwarara for comment were unsuccessful, while the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists has yet to respond to concerns over media ethics and the independence of journalists accepting such incentives.
Tungwarara’s rise within Mnangagwa’s inner circle has been rapid, particularly after his appointment last year as Special Presidential Investment Advisor to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
His growing influence comes at a time when Mnangagwa’s public declarations of stepping down in 2028 have failed to quell speculation about succession battles within Zanu PF.
The UAE has been central to multiple corruption allegations involving Mnangagwa’s regime. The Al Jazeera Gold Mafia exposé implicated Mnangagwa’s close associates in illicit gold smuggling, with strong ties to Dubai-based networks.
The investigation suggested that Zimbabwe’s ruling elite have been laundering gold through the UAE, bypassing official channels and siphoning national wealth.
Mnangagwa’s frequent use of a UAE-provided private jet for his international travel has further fueled speculation about his deep financial ties to the Gulf state.
Observers have drawn parallels between Tungwarara’s growing influence and that of controversial cleric Uebert Angel, who was exposed in the Gold Mafia documentary as a key figure in the regime’s illicit financial dealings.
Tungwarara’s involvement in high-value projects—including a multimillion-dollar borehole drilling initiative targeting war veterans aligned with Mnangagwa—indicates a strategic positioning in the ruling party’s internal battles.
This comes as Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is reportedly consolidating power in anticipation of Mnangagwa’s eventual exit.
Chiwenga, the former military general who led the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe and installed Mnangagwa, has long been seen as a potential successor.
However, Mnangagwa’s manoeuvring—through figures like Tungwarara—suggests he is working to extend his political control beyond his presidency.
With Tungwarara now overseeing major political and economic initiatives, his role in shaping the post-Mnangagwa era cannot be ignored.
His connections to the UAE, suspected involvement in gold dealings, and financial influence over the media raise critical concerns about governance integrity and the high-stakes power struggle unfolding within Zanu PF.