Prominent businessman and political powerbroker Kudakwashe Tagwirei has resurfaced on the political scene just days after experiencing a major setback at the hands of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga—and, surprisingly, President Emmerson Mnangagwa himself.
Tagwirei’s recent troubles began on Thursday, July 3, when he was abruptly ejected from a ZANU-PF Central Committee meeting at the party’s headquarters in Harare. The meeting was expected to rubber-stamp his co-option into the Central Committee, a powerful decision-making body within the ruling party. However, objections were swiftly raised—primarily by members aligned with Chiwenga—arguing that his nomination lacked proper procedure and Politburo endorsement. Within minutes, the influential businessman was asked to leave the room, in what insiders described as a public humiliation.
If that wasn’t enough, the following day President Mnangagwa appeared to distance himself from his longtime ally. While addressing the ZANU-PF National Consultative Assembly, Mnangagwa led the crowd in chanting “Pasi nezvigananda!”—a Shona phrase loosely translated as “Down with parasites” or “Down with tenderpreneurs.” The slogan, which has become symbolic of the ruling party’s growing discomfort with wealthy, politically connected business figures, was interpreted by many as a veiled attack on Tagwirei and others of his ilk.
The apparent rebuke from both the vice president’s faction and the president himself marked a stark reversal in fortunes for a man long considered one of the most powerful figures operating behind the scenes in Zimbabwean politics.
Yet just days later, on Sunday, July 6, Tagwirei reemerged defiantly in Epworth, a densely populated and impoverished suburb of Harare, to campaign for ZANU-PF ahead of the Ward 6 by-election. Wearing full party regalia and surrounded by grassroots activists, Kudakwashe Tagwirei toured parts of the constituency, interacted with residents, and mobilized support for the ruling party’s candidate.
Party insiders say the move was no accident. It was a deliberate attempt by Kudakwashe Tagwirei to reassert his presence in ZANU-PF and reconnect with the grassroots, where influence is often forged and battles for political survival are fought and won.
“Whatever happened in the Central Committee, he’s reminding people that he’s still a force,” said a senior ZANU-PF member who attended the Epworth event. “He knows how the party works—power doesn’t just live in the boardroom. It lives on the ground.”
Tagwirei’s rise to prominence over the past decade has been closely linked to his business empire, which spans critical sectors such as fuel, mining, infrastructure, and finance. His proximity to the levers of state power earned him lucrative government contracts and a position as one of Zimbabwe’s wealthiest and most controversial businessmen.
Kudakwashe Tagwirei Reemerges in Epworth After High-Level ZANU-PF Snub
But his soaring influence has also generated resentment and suspicion—particularly among rival factions within ZANU-PF. Many of those aligned with Vice President Chiwenga have long viewed Tagwirei as a symbol of Mnangagwa’s inner circle and a threat to their own ambitions.
Some analysts believe the recent public rebuke and failed Central Committee bid may signal an emerging effort to curtail Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s influence as ZANU-PF prepares for a potentially bruising succession contest ahead of the 2028 general elections.
“This was a clear message to Kudakwashe Tagwirei and others like him: no one is untouchable,” said political analyst Rejoice Ndlovu. “He’s being reminded that the party controls the levers of power, not wealth alone.”
Still, Tagwirei’s ability to quickly reinsert himself into the party’s campaigning machinery suggests he is not giving up without a fight. His presence in Epworth also reflects an understanding of the importance of grassroots structures in ZANU-PF’s patronage system. In a party where local loyalty can often translate into political redemption, Kudakwashe Tagwirei may be charting a longer, more strategic course back to the center of power.
Some observers speculate that he may shift focus away from formal leadership structures and instead seek to become a kingmaker—quietly shaping outcomes through financial support, constituency building, and influence among lower-tier party cadres.
Whether this recalibrated approach will restore his standing remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Kudakwashe Tagwirei is not prepared to fade into the background. Despite a humiliating setback at the top, he is repositioning himself from the bottom up—rebuilding his political fortunes the ZANU-PF way: through loyalty, resilience, and persistence on the ground.
In Zimbabwean politics, comebacks are often just as dramatic as falls. And if Epworth is any indication, Kdakwashe Tagwirei’s next act may already be underway.
Source- Bulawayo24
