TAGWIREI WANTS TO RULE ZIMBABWE WITH MONEY, NOT THE PEOPLE

Kudakwashe Tagwirei is no longer hiding. He is now slowly coming out and trying to join politics. Many people in Zimbabwe now believe he wants to be the next president. Just a few days ago, he spoke at a big youth church conference. He told young people how he started his business with only US$7,000. He said he sold his house in Westgate and took a risk. Today, he is a rich man. He is close to President Mnangagwa and owns many businesses. But behind these sweet stories, something big is going on. Tagwirei wants power. Real power.

In Zimbabwe, Tagwirei is not just a businessman. He is one of Mnangagwa’s closest friends. His company, Sakunda Holdings, made millions from government deals. People say he became rich through state tenders. He denies this. But his name always comes up when people talk about corruption. He gives money to Zanu PF, to the army, and even to churches. He once paid for Zanu PF office furniture. Now, many say he wants to take over when Mnangagwa leaves. This is not a small story. It is a plan.

Inside Zanu PF, there is a big fight. Mnangagwa wants to rule until 2030. But his deputy, General Chiwenga, wants him to go in 2028. This is causing big problems in the party. Chiwenga is using war veterans and army friends to push. Mnangagwa is using rich people like Tagwirei to fight back. Mnangagwa is scared. He thinks Chiwenga may try to remove him using the army like they did to Mugabe in 2017. That is why he removed Anselem Sanyatwe and put a new commander called Matatu. Tagwirei is now a soldier in this war. But his weapon is not a gun. It is money.

Tagwirei is also using religion to gain support. He tells people that God helped him to become rich. He quotes Bible verses and says Prophet Makandiwa prayed for him when he was sick. He gave money to poor people through his Bridging Gap Foundation. He sponsors football teams like Dynamos and Highlanders. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church even gave him an award. He is building his image — a man who gives, who loves, and who wants to lead. But behind this good image, there is a plan to take power.

He also believes that money is the key to everything. He thinks if you have money, you can become a leader. That is very dangerous. In Zimbabwe, the army still controls many things. Chiwenga still has strong support in the army. But Tagwirei also has some influence. People say he has links to Brigadier-General Fidelis Mhonda, who leads the Presidential Guard. This means Tagwirei is not just rich. He is also protected by soldiers. That is a dangerous mix.

Tagwirei has also been given political jobs. On 31 March, he joined Zanu PF’s central committee. He is also the chairperson of the Land Tenure Implementation Committee. This shows that he is now deep in politics. His name is now being spoken about with Chiwenga and General Phillip Valerio Sibanda as people who may replace Mnangagwa.

But this is not right. Tagwirei has never been elected by the people. He has no experience in politics. His power is from money and friends in high places. If he becomes president, Zimbabwe will be like a private company. Only the rich will decide. This is not what we want. We need leaders who are chosen by the people, not those who buy their way.

In South Africa, Patrice Motsepe is also close to politics. But Zimbabwe is different. We are not for sale. Tagwirei’s rise should make us all afraid. If we are not careful, Zimbabwe will be taken over by the rich. We must say no. The country belongs to the people, not to billionaires.