The Rise of Tagwirei: From Business Mogul to ZANU PF Power Player

The political ascent of businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei within ZANU PF has taken a decisive turn, with the Harare provincial executive recommending his co-option into the ruling party’s influential Central Committee.

This move cements his growing stature not only as a key economic player but also as a rising political force within the party.

The Central Committee, ZANU PF’s principal organ of Congress, plays a crucial role in shaping the party’s policies and strategic direction. It is tasked with implementing resolutions, directives, and programmes enunciated by Congress when it is not in session. For Tagwirei, a figure already deeply entrenched in Zimbabwe’s economic fabric, this recommendation marks a significant step toward formal political influence.

Cde Tagwirei has long been one of Zimbabwe’s most powerful business magnates, with vast interests spanning energy, mining, transport, construction, and agriculture. As the founder and CEO of Sakunda Holdings, he has built an economic empire that has often intersected with government initiatives and national development projects. His ability to navigate both the corporate and political spheres has made him a formidable figure within Zimbabwe’s ruling establishment.

His proposed entry into the Central Committee was announced during the ZANU PF Harare Provincial Co-ordinating Committee (PCC) meeting at the party’s offices in the capital. Harare provincial chair Cde Godwills Masimirembwa confirmed that members of the Central Committee in Harare had put forward the proposal, highlighting Tagwirei’s business acumen as a valuable asset to the party.

“Cde Tagwirei is a party member in the Harare Metropolitan Province. He is a well-known business strategist,” said Cde Masimirembwa. “His forward-thinking business leadership will bring immense value to the party. He is an indispensable force, destined to spearhead a new era of economic prosperity for ZANU PF.”

The PCC’s unanimous approval of the recommendation underscores the growing influence Tagwirei wields within the ruling party. His transition from being a financial backer and benefactor to a formal political player signals a shift in ZANU PF’s internal dynamics, where economic power increasingly translates into political authority.

ZANU PF’s decision to elevate Tagwirei aligns with President Mnangagwa’s vision of leveraging business leaders to drive the party’s economic agenda. The President has encouraged provinces to hold separate PCC meetings dedicated to economic and political issues—an approach that directly plays to Tagwirei’s strengths as a business strategist.

ZANU PF Harare province deputy secretary for Economic Development Cde Andy Mhlanga acknowledged Tagwirei’s longstanding support for the party, stating that the time was right for him to assume a leadership role.

Similarly, ZANU PF Harare Youth chairman, Cde Emmanuel Mahachi, praised the decision, emphasizing Tagwirei’s role in mobilizing resources for the party. “We are happy that Cde Tagwirei will give advice and direction in the growth of the party. He is always available in times of need for the party. We support the co-option of Cde Tagwirei into the highest party organ,” Mahachi said.

Tagwirei’s rise within ZANU PF reflects a broader trend in Zimbabwean politics, where influential business figures are increasingly drawn into formal party structures. His co-option into the Central Committee not only rewards his financial contributions to the party but also positions him as a key architect of ZANU PF’s economic strategies heading into the future.

Meanwhile, the PCC also co-opted Cde Voyage Dambuza as the Harare province Political Commissar, replacing Cde Kudakwashe Damson. This restructuring within the party’s provincial leadership underscores ongoing efforts to consolidate power and ensure loyalty within ZANU PF ranks.

In contrast to external political pressures, ZANU PF Harare province has remained steadfast in its support for President Mnangagwa’s leadership. Cde Masimirembwa highlighted the province’s unity, stating that the PCC meeting proceeded peacefully, despite calls for protests by fugitive ex-ZANU PF Central Committee member Blessed Geza.

With Zimbabwe working towards Vision 2030—an upper-middle-income economy—Tagwirei’s integration into ZANU PF’s leadership signals a strategic alignment of political and economic forces. His rise within the party may well shape the trajectory of both Zimbabwe’s economic policies and ZANU PF’s future power dynamics.