By A Correspondent
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is intensifying efforts to solidify his political grip by promoting Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a businessman aligned with Mnangagwa’s faction, for a more prominent role in the ZANU PF leadership. Sources within the party reveal that Mnangagwa’s push for Tagwirei’s elevation to the Presidium is seen as a strategic move to weaken Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s faction.
ZANU PF’s Harare Provincial Coordinating Committee recently met to discuss key party matters, including the co-option of new members into the Central Committee. Among the names discussed was Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a businessman and philanthropist who has built close ties with Mnangagwa’s camp. During the meeting, ZANU PF Harare Provincial Chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa confirmed that the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) unanimously supported a proposal to recommend Tagwirei for inclusion in the Central Committee.
“This is a crucial moment for the party as we seek to strengthen our leadership. Kudakwashe Tagwirei is an influential figure with strategic business acumen. He has proven himself as a visionary leader. The Central Committee members in Harare felt it was important to co-opt him, and this recommendation will now be submitted to the party’s Secretary General, Dr. Obert Mpofu,” Masimirembwa stated in an interview after the meeting.
The push for Tagwirei’s rise to the Central Committee and potentially higher office has been viewed with suspicion by some within ZANU PF, particularly those loyal to Vice President Chiwenga. Chiwenga, a former military leader, is believed to have his own faction that is vying for more influence within the party. Tagwirei’s promotion is seen as a direct challenge to Chiwenga’s power, as Mnangagwa continues to shore up his allies and counter any potential threats.
Political analysts speculate that Mnangagwa is strategically positioning Tagwirei to create a counterbalance to Chiwenga’s faction, which has been seen as increasingly influential within the party. “Mnangagwa is sending a clear signal that he has the ability to elevate individuals close to him, thereby diminishing any opposition from within the ranks of the party,” said one analyst.
Despite the tension within the party, Mnangagwa’s supporters remain confident that Tagwirei’s rise will only further strengthen ZANU PF’s position in the upcoming by-elections and future national elections. “Tagwirei has the skills needed for the future, and his elevation will bring the kind of leadership that will keep us ahead,” Masimirembwa added.
As Mnangagwa’s maneuvering unfolds, the internal power dynamics of ZANU PF will undoubtedly continue to shift, and the next few months will be critical in determining whether Tagwirei can indeed make his way into the Presidium, further consolidating Mnangagwa’s hold on power.