TAGWIREI WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT: MONEY, CHURCH AND ZANU PF GAMES

Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a rich businessman close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is slowly entering Zanu PF politics in a serious way. Some people laugh at the idea of him wanting to become president one day. But others say he is not joking. He is using his money and power to join the fight to take over from Mnangagwa.

Right now, Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga are fighting behind the scenes over who will lead next. It is a dirty and dangerous game. And now another powerful man, army boss General Philip Valerio Sibanda, is also being looked at as a possible next leader. He is powerful because he controls the army and soldiers listen to him.

Mnangagwa himself got into power after removing Robert Mugabe in 2017. That was not a free or fair change of power. It was a military takeover, a coup. Now it looks like another power struggle is starting again inside Zanu PF.

Tagwirei, also known as “Queen Bee” because of how he controls big business in Zimbabwe, is trying to climb into Zanu PF’s top levels. He is not a soldier or a war veteran, but he has something they respect—money. He is also using the church. He often donates to churches and sits close to pastors and prophets. He is now being added to the Zanu PF central committee, which is a big step. After that, they want to move him to the politburo, where real decisions are made.

There are even talks that he may be given a job as a government minister. That will help him understand how the government works. It will also make him look like a serious leader. Some top party people, like legal affairs secretary Patrick Chinamasa, have openly welcomed Tagwirei. This means he is not just testing the waters. He is jumping in.

But not everyone is happy. Many Zimbabweans are worried. They know how Zanu PF works. They know it is a party of deals, money and fighting for power. Tagwirei has a lot of money. He has made millions from government contracts and fuel deals. If he brings that money into politics, he can win the hearts of powerful people. He can buy loyalty. And in Zanu PF, loyalty often wins more than honesty or hard work.

This could change how the next Zanu PF leader is chosen. Normally, it is about war history or military power. But if money becomes the new weapon, then Tagwirei might stand a real chance. He might break the rules and become the first businessman to lead Zanu PF.

Still, this is a dangerous game. Zanu PF succession fights are full of betrayal and danger. People have died in these battles. Tagwirei may be brave, but he is entering a field full of landmines. If he fails, he could lose everything. But if he wins, he becomes one of the most powerful people in Zimbabwe.

Many Zimbabweans feel sad and angry about this. They want real change, not another rich man playing with power. They know that when businessmen and politicians mix, it is the poor who suffer. Prices go up, jobs disappear, and only the connected few enjoy life.

Tagwirei’s rise tells a bigger story. It shows that in Zimbabwe today, power does not come from the people. It comes from deals, money and secret meetings. The country keeps going in circles, where the same people fight for control, while millions suffer.

As activists, we must speak out. We must remind the people that Zimbabwe needs real leaders, not just rich ones. The future must belong to all Zimbabweans, not just those with big pockets and political friends.