Harare, Zimbabwe – Former National Patriotic Front (NPF) spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire, has launched a scathing attack on controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, accusing him of orchestrating widespread financial malpractices and exploiting state programmes for immense personal enrichment. Mawarire alleges that Tagwirei’s dealings with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and his involvement in government initiatives are key avenues for large-scale looting.
In a series of posts on the social media platform X, Mawarire did not mince words, describing Tagwirei as “a well-connected conman.” He claimed that Tagwirei has systematically manipulated financial systems and government policies to amass millions in U.S. dollars, all at the expense of the Zimbabwean public. “Tagwirei is not a businessman. He is just a well-connected conman,” Mawarire asserted.
Mawarire’s allegations delve into specific instances, claiming that in February 2019, when the government introduced the RTGS dollar via Statutory Instrument 33, mandating a 1:1 conversion rate for all accounts, Tagwirei allegedly received preferential treatment. He claims that through his associate, Chris Fourie, Tagwirei negotiated with the RBZ to convert $15 million in treasury bills at an astonishing rate of 1:5.5. “Instead of getting $15m, Tagwirei and company were paid more than $75m, making a $60m killing overnight,” Mawarire alleged.
Furthermore, Mawarire claimed that between 2017 and 2019, Tagwirei’s company, Sakunda Holdings, along with its affiliates, received over US$3 billion in Treasury Bills. These funds, Mawarire highlighted, were reportedly issued outside of the national budget. A 2019 parliamentary inquiry, he noted, reportedly found a significant portion of this money unaccounted for, leading Mawarire to accuse the RBZ of effectively printing money for Tagwirei and, in turn, fuelling runaway inflation.
The controversial Command Agriculture programme also came under Mawarire’s scrutiny. He pointed out that Parliament confirmed in 2020 that Sakunda was paid US$1.28 billion under the scheme, yet only US1billionwasreportedlyspentoninputs.Mawarireclaimstheremaining∗∗US280 million could not be traced**, with the Auditor General having previously described the programme as “opaque and riddled with financial irregularities.”
Mawarire also expressed concern over Tagwirei’s recent involvement in the Land Tenure Implementation Committee, which he suspects is a new mechanism for continued looting.
He sensationally alleged that the businessman is now involved in selling “fake title deeds” to unsuspecting beneficiaries of the land reform programme.
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