By Victor Fanuel
Harare – Trouble is brewing in Zanu PF, as internal battles over power, succession, and alleged “money politics” threaten to tear the party apart.
A whistleblower has written to party chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, demanding the immediate dissolution of Harare Province’s leadership.
At the centre of the storm is controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
His push to join the central committee has triggered outrage, confusion, and allegations of rule-breaking.
The anonymous activist, clearly a party insider, says Tagwirei’s nomination violated Zanu PF’s constitution.
The letter, dated July 5, says the Harare leadership forced through his endorsement, even though he isn’t a card-carrying member.
“The recent unanimous endorsement of Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a non-party member, to a position on the Central Committee has brought the name of Zanu PF into disrepute,” reads the letter.
The backlash comes after Tagwirei was humiliated at Zanu PF HQ last Thursday.
The Sakunda boss arrived for a central committee meeting, only to be booted out by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
Sources say Chiwenga walked in, saw Tagwirei, and immediately ordered security to remove him.
Witnesses say Tagwirei froze, clearly shocked.
Insiders believe this is more than a simple protocol blunder.
It’s a battle over succession.
Tagwirei’s rise is seen as part of a bigger power play as the post-Mnangagwa race heats up.
His allies claim he has grassroots support.
However, critics say he’s buying influence.
Over the weekend, 45 buses were reportedly mobilised to ferry supporters to a rally in Epworth.
It was presented as a ward meeting.
Insiders say it was a staged show of support by Tagwirei loyalists.
“The process was unprocedural,” the letter says. “
“It sends a wrong message that financial muscle can secure party positions. This demoralises dedicated cadres.”
The letter accuses Harare leaders of selling out. “They wilfully ignored the constitution, likely for financial gain from Tagwirei,” it alleges.
The whistleblower calls for a total overhaul.
“Given the gravity of this situation, I strongly recommend that the Harare Province structures be dissolved.”
The letter was copied to Mnangagwa, both Vice Presidents, the party’s Secretary General, Political Commissar, and other top organs.
This suggests the whistleblower has powerful connections.
The internal revolt comes as another explosive letter, this time from Zanu PF Secretary General Obert Mpofu, emerged on July 3, ordering the regularisation of motor vehicles donated in the name of the party.
The move follows Tagwirei’s pledge to hand over 300 Ford off-road vehicles to Central Committee members and luxury Toyota VX 300s to politburo elites.
Mpofu, invoking Section 76 of the party constitution, said some of these donations were being distributed without proper validation from authorised party offices, raising suspicions of irregular patronage.
The directive was sent to all heads of departments, provincial chairpersons, and affiliate association leaders.
Zanu PF insiders now accuse Chitepo School of Ideology principal and party’s Political Commissar Munyaradzi Machacha of engineering Tagwirei’s rise and pushing his interests without following due party processes.
The vehicle donations are seen by many as political inducements, further fuelling accusations that Tagwirei is buying his way to the top.
The scandal exposes deep cracks in the party. As Zanu PF prepares for life after Mnangagwa, the Tagwirei drama may be just the beginning of a fierce internal war.
