TAGWIREI FOR PRESIDENT? THE MONEY MAN WHO WANTS TO RULE ZIMBABWE

Kudakwashe Tagwirei is now everywhere in Zimbabwean politics. People used to know him only as a businessman. Now, he is acting like someone who wants to become president. He recently spoke for a long time at the UFIC youth conference. In his speech, he talked about how he started with only US$7,000 and built a big business. He also defended President Mnangagwa, saying he is not corrupt, even though many people think Zimbabwe is now ruled by thieves.

Tagwirei is always close to Mnangagwa. He funds ZANU PF and even helped furnish their Harare offices. Some say he gives money to top army officers to protect Mnangagwa’s rule. But now there is a big fight inside ZANU PF. Mnangagwa wants to stay in power until 2030, even though the law says he must go in 2028. His vice president, Chiwenga, is fighting him and wants to take over. This fight is now out in the open.

Because of this, Tagwirei is getting more attention. Some people say he wants to be president. He has money, power, and influence in many places—business, government, church, media, and even the army. He is not a soldier like Chiwenga, but he is a rich man who knows how to use his money. In one speech, he even said, “If you have money, you can get power and control the military.”

That kind of thinking is dangerous in a country like Zimbabwe. We have seen before how money and guns decide who rules, not the people’s vote. Many say Tagwirei is only powerful because of corruption and because he is close to Mnangagwa. They say he made his money through state deals and tenders, not real hard work. But Tagwirei tells a different story. He says he took risks, believed in God, and built everything from nothing.

To gain support, Tagwirei is using religion. He is always seen with church leaders like Makandiwa. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church even gave him an award for his work in education. He is now helping churches, sponsoring football teams like Highlanders and Dynamos, and giving free medical treatment to some people. These acts make him look like a kind man, but many think it’s just a way to get support for politics.

He was recently appointed to the ZANU PF central committee and made chairperson of the Land Tenure Implementation Committee. These are not small positions. This means he is now fully inside ZANU PF politics. Some say he is even planning to buy a big media company so he can control the news.

Chiwenga is still strong. He has the army behind him. But Tagwirei is moving fast, and some people think he might jump over Chiwenga and become Mnangagwa’s chosen one. Others are not sure. They say he is playing a dangerous game. He has no real political background, no party supporters, and no military base. He could fail badly.

In Zimbabwe, power comes from three things—money, the army, and the ruling party. Tagwirei has money and is now deep in the party. But will the army let him rise? Will Chiwenga allow it? Or is Tagwirei just being used by Mnangagwa to stop Chiwenga?

In South Africa, people talk about Patrice Motsepe becoming president. Maybe Tagwirei wants to be Zimbabwe’s Motsepe. But there is a big difference. Motsepe made his money outside politics. Tagwirei made his money because of politics. That is why many Zimbabweans don’t trust him.

Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: Tagwirei is no longer just a businessman. He is now a serious player in Zimbabwe’s dirty game of power. And if we are not careful, the next leader of Zimbabwe may not come from the people, but from the rich and powerful few who already control everything.