By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — Leaked audios obtained by Newshour allegedly expose the extent of businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s influence within Zimbabwe’s political, security and judicial structures, including his reported proximity to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The recordings, involving two individuals whose identities Newshour managed to verify, feature a whistleblower claiming to recount conversations allegedly relayed to him by controversial preacher Prophet Passion Java.
In the audios, Tagwirei is portrayed as a self-styled “kingmaker” who believes he is positioning himself for greater political power beyond Mnangagwa’s tenure.
“I am now a kingmaker. Most of the decisions made by Mnangagwa are mine. I have two meetings with the President each week where we discuss politics and business,” the whistleblower says while allegedly imitating Tagwirei.
“After the President, I am the most powerful person although I am outside government.”
The audios further claim that Tagwirei is preparing for a political confrontation with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga amid growing succession tensions within Zanu PF.
“Once CAB3 is signed we are going to start a push for younger leaders in the presidium.
“That will be the first war. We cannot fight a war against the generals and one on CAB3 at the same time.
“Once we win the CAB3 war then we go for the general because he is proving to be a big problem,” the voice says.
The speaker also boasts of allegedly influencing the removal of former Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) director-general Isaac Moyo and ex-Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga.
“I won by getting former CIO director-general Isaac Moyo and ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga fired. I will have my way again on the general,” the audio claims.
According to the recordings, Tagwirei’s alleged influence stretches across the military, police, intelligence services and Cabinet, with claims that several senior officials are on his payroll.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube is among ministers allegedly said to be in regular contact with the businessman.
“The only people I cannot call to my home are the President and his deputies. I also do not call Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe because I have no use for him.
“All other ministers, including Oppah Muchinguri and Ncube, come to my house for serious discussions,” the speaker says.
“The ZRP is on my payroll. Prisons and army generals are in my pocket.
“I can count just a few whom I do not call directly — CIO directors, even the new Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges,” adds the speaker.
The audios also allege a calculated strategy to build influence through churches in anticipation of a future political battle where public support could prove decisive.
“I am taking churches one-by-one. I took over the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) after I gave them a million dollars.
“Nehemiah Mutendi is my elder now. I am taking that one,” the speaker says.
“I am taking Johane Marange although they said they did not want to see any involvement from Tino Machakaire.
“Then Mudzidzi, I am taking that one.
“ZAOGA is hard to penetrate but Emmanuel Makandiwa, Uebert Angel and Walter Magaya — I am taking those ones.
“I helped Magaya get bail. I interceded to mdhara and told him Magaya has people.
“I am in total control of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church,” the speaker adds.
However, speaking from the United States, Prophet Passion Java dismissed the audios and denied any involvement.
“There are audios circulating in Zimbabwe mentioning names of the President and central committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei, fellow prophets, politicians and Members of Parliament,” said Java.
“I distance myself from these audios. I do not know where they are coming from. I am not sure if it is my brother Apostle Java speaking or if it is AI-generated. I am not part of this.
“I never had any meeting with Tagwirei or any conversation with him. I do not even know some of the names mentioned in the audio,” added Java.
Apostle Batsirai Java, who was previously married to the late Vimbai Tsvangirai, daughter of late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, has also distanced himself from the recordings.
Efforts to obtain comment from Tagwirei were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
