By Victor Fanuel
Harare — A fierce factional war has erupted inside Zanu PF following the dramatic nullification of Paul “Temptor” Tungwarara’s brief elevation to the party’s central committee.
Party insiders say this action was engineered by a powerful faction aligned to fuel tycoon and political financier Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
What appeared, on paper, to be an administrative correction has been exposed as a calculated political strike executed by Zanu PF national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha and openly endorsed by treasurer-general Patrick Chinamasa — both of whom insiders allege are firmly “on Tagwirei’s payroll.”
According to several senior party insiders, the nullification was not about procedure but about blocking a rising political rival whose growing network threatens Tagwirei’s influence within Zanu PF.
The flashpoint of the controversy is a December 11 letter in which Machacha nullified Tungwarara’s co-option by the Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC).
Machacha cited a legal affairs rule requiring that any Central Committee replacement must come from the same administrative district as the outgoing member, Dorothy Mabika, who hailed from Chipinge
In the letter, Machacha declared, “The said co-option has been nullified with immediate effect,” adding that “any activities that involve issuance of money, goods or services by aspiring candidates will be deemed as vote buying and will lead to automatic disqualification.”
These comments triggered anger among insiders who accuse Machacha of hypocrisy, claiming his own elevation was allegedly financed through the same vote-buying tactics by Tagwirei.
One senior provincial member remarked that “Machacha cannot accuse Tungwarara of vote buying when his own rise was funded by Tagwirei. He is attacking a rival using the very sins that created him.”
The plot against Tungwarara is said to have been driven by Tagwirei’s fury after his preferred candidate, Justin Matsatsira, lost the Manicaland vote despite a well-funded campaign.
According to Zanu PF insiders, Tagwirei allegedly pumped at least US$500,000 into a vote-buying spree, deploying fleets of luxury vehicles, his Harare-based operatives and bundles of cash in nocturnal visits to PCC members.
His political runners reportedly assured him that Matsatsira would cruise to victory.
Instead, Tungwarara won decisively, using what insiders described as “Tagwirei’s own strategy better than him.”
The defeat reportedly shook Tagwirei, with one insider saying the business magnate was deeply hurt by the rejection of his candidate.
The loss also exposed internal distrust within Tagwirei’s camp, amid allegations that some of the money never reached voters but remained in the pockets of his Harare lieutenants.
Patrick Chinamasa, who is widely believed to be aligned to Tagwirei, then issued a public endorsement of Machacha’s nullification, reinforcing speculation that the decision was orchestrated from the top of the faction.
In a cryptic statement, Chinamasa declared, “I support the decision of Cde Machacha one hundred per cent, indeed wholeheartedly, for the reasons given and more.”
“Those who have eyes, let them ‘eye,’ and those who have ears, let them ‘ear.’
“Nokuti hatigoni kurega kutaura izvo takaona neizvo takanzwa (Because we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and what we have heard),” added Chinamasa.
Party insiders, however, insist that while Chinamasa attempted to take a principled stance, he was merely defending the interests of his benefactor.
One high-ranking source was blunt: “Chinamasa is going against Temptor Tungwarara because he is on Tagwirei’s payroll.”
The battle for the Manicaland Central Committee seat has exposed three warring factions: Tagwirei’s camp, which backed Matsatsira; John Paradza’s camp, which supported Evelyn Gata; and Tungwarara’s own camp, which unexpectedly emerged victorious.
All three blocs had one shared objective — blocking General Sanyatwe, believed to be aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, from gaining ground in Manicaland.
But once Tungwarara defeated Matsatsira, the temporary unity collapsed, triggering a vicious counter-offensive led by Tagwirei’s allies.
The nullification, therefore, is widely viewed not as procedural enforcement but as a tactical strike in Zanu PF’s broader factional wars.
Tungwarara’s rapid rise has unsettled Tagwirei’s faction for another reason, he represents a new power centre with direct access to state-funded programmes.
Tungwarara oversees the Presidential Borehole Scheme, the Veterans Housing Programme, the War Veterans Fund and the Presidential Solar Programme.
These initiatives have expanded his national profile, influence and independent political capital.
Some insiders now see him as a potential future presidential aspirant — a prospect that directly threatens Tagwirei’s succession ambitions.
One Politburo insider explained: “Tagwirei cannot accept being overshadowed by another billionaire-type figure inside Zanu PF.
To him, Tungwarara’s rise is unacceptable.”
Machacha’s warnings against vote buying have been dismissed by some party members as disingenuous.
A youth league official said, “Tagwirei bought half the Harare structures.
“He bought the Central Committee seat. He bought campaigns. So how does Machacha talk about vote buying?
“Tungwarara only used the same template,” added the youth.
The nullification has therefore not only embarrassed Tagwirei but also exposed the commissariat’s alleged susceptibility to elite capture and provoked resentment among provincial structures tired of Harare-based oligarchs imposing candidates through money.
This fight is also widely viewed as a preview of Zanu PF’s looming succession crisis.
The Tungwarara–Tagwirei showdown is a proxy battle over influence, resources and future presidential positioning.
In its aftermath, the Manicaland province has been ordered to restart the selection process, but insiders insist the fight is far from over.
Tagwirei’s camp is determined to overturn Tungwarara’s gains, while Tungwarara’s supporters are preparing for counter-mobilisation.
