By Staff Reporter
MUTARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s empowerment programmes are not being abandoned but are set to continue under tighter accountability frameworks, according to the President’s special investment adviser, Paul Tungwarara.
Tungwarara said the Presidential Empowerment Schemes (PES), remain a core pillar of the government’s development agenda but were temporarily slowed to allow the ruling party to establish proper leadership and administrative structures to curb abuse and ensure transparency.
“The empowerment is still ongoing. It has not stopped; it’s just that the leadership and the commissariat department want proper structures,” Tungwarara said.
He explained that the decision to pause some activities was informed by concerns over the absence of clear accountability mechanisms, with some individuals allegedly handling funds without proper records.
“People were collecting money without proper records of how it was being used.
“We must have a proper structure,” he said, adding that the process was now being addressed at party level.
“Once done, you will see improvement; our secretary-general of the party is putting proper structures in place,” he said.
Tungwarara made the remarks while attending a cell verification exercise at Rusununguko Branch in Ward 6, Gaza Primary Cell, where he is a registered voter.
The exercise was part of Zanu PF’s broader efforts to strengthen grassroots structures through membership recruitment and database updates.
He arrived quietly alongside Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza and Chipinge district coordinating committee chairperson Temba Munayiwa, initially declining to speak to the media.
“Remember, this is not the day to speak to the Press. I have just come to check my name in my ward or cell,” he said.
When he later addressed journalists, Tungwarara linked the empowerment programmes directly to President Mnangagwa’s long-term economic vision.
He said the attacks circulating on social media were distractions aimed at undermining the national development agenda.
“I don’t have time to respond to social media, but if you are not being attacked, you are not doing anything.
“They may appear to attack me, but they are attacking vision of 2030. Let’s stay focused and support the vision,” he said.
Tungwarara called for unity within Manicaland and urged party members to resist divisive narratives.
“Manicaland, let’s remain united and support President Mnangagwa. Be wise against those who use divide-and-rule methods,” he said.
Mukodza, addressing party members at the same event, said the turnout reflected continued grassroots support for Zanu PF.
“This important event helped us to gauge the grassroots support base, which remains strong for our colossus party, Zanu PF,” he said.
The remarks come amid heightened public debate over the future of empowerment initiatives, with Tungwarara’s comments underscoring that the programmes are intended to continue—this time under clearer systems of oversight and accountability aligned with Vision 2030.