President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been forced to intervene in the escalating feud between Zanu PF benefactors Paul Tungwarara and Kudakwashe Tagwirei, whose war of words has split the ruling party.
Three weeks ago, Tungwarara launched a surprise attack on unnamed cash-rich individuals while presiding over a presidential empowerment programme in Manicaland province’s Marange area.
Zanu PF supporters on social media pointed out that the attacks were directed at Tagwirei and two camps emerged backing the two rivals.
Tungwarara accused the businessman of being overly ambitious and of using money to try to succeed Mnangagwa.
The attack came after a social media post by a Tagwirei associate addressed him as “HE”, an acronym for His Excellency, a title mainly reserved for a sitting head of state.
The post coincided with the leaking of a picture of a commuter omnibus bearing the picture of Tagwirei, inscribed “Zim1,” a title referring to the president.
Tungwarara launched another attack on Tagwirei in Nyanga a fortnight ago, accusing him of being too ambitious and trying to monopolise Mnangagwa.
He gave examples of himself, Wicknell Chivayo and Scott Sakupwanya, among others whom he said were being unfairly attacked by the businessman.
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He also accused Tagwirei of trying to dictate government and party work by always trying to get officials sacked, including Mnangagwa’s vice presidents, Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, government ministers, permanent secretaries and others.
The attack allegedly did not go down well with Tagwirei, who allegedly sponsored a social media onslaught against Tungwarara while trying to block his last Manicaland meeting, scheduled for Mutare today.
His efforts, according to insiders, culminated in action by Zanu PF political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha, who is believed to be close to the businessman, 12 hours later.
Machacha announced “the temporary suspension of the distribution of the Presidential Economic Empowerment Revolving Fund” in a letter dated January 23.
He said party secretary-general Jacob Mudenda will issue new guidelines on the distribution, utilisation and management of the fund.
Sources in the Zanu PF government disclosed to The Standard that Mnangagwa had to intervene to cool the situation, which was getting out of hand by summoning both Tungwarara and Tagwirei.
“He had a conversation with both parties separately and advised them to go and see Mudenda,” the insider said.
“Both went to see Mudenda separately. Mudenda tried to persuade Tungwarara to call off his attack on Tagwirei, saying it was tarnishing the image of the party.
“He wanted Tungwarara to apologise, but he refused. He was left with no choice, but to call off Tungwarara’s Mutare meeting.”
The insider added: “However, Tungwarara later consented not to attack Tagwirei further, and the meeting was cleared. It will go ahead.”
Machacha, whose relationship with Tungwarara deteriorated after he attempted to block Mnangagwa’s investment advisor’s rise into the central committee, was said to have been under pressure to also have the Mutare meeting blocked.
After Tungwarara’s attacks, Tagwirei allegedly launched a social media campaign against his rival.
“His approach also included sponsoring intelligence reports that try to clear him of the allegations of being ambitious, while at the same time tarnishing the names of Tungwarara and Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa,” a source said.
“He is taking advantage of the president’s over-reliance on intelligence reports, as a person whose life has always had something to do with intelligence, and he hopes positive intelligence reports will cleanse him.”
Mutsvangwa has repeatedly attacked Tagwirei, accusing him of trying to use his money to buy the presidency and warning that this would never happen.
Tagwirei did not respond to questions sent to him by The Standard.
Zanu PF said the businessman has the habit of boasting that Tungwarara will go the same way as convicted Zanu PF members Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu for attacking him.
The feud between Tungwarara and Tagwirei is reported to have been caused by the businessman’s decision to sponsor opposition to Mnangagwa’s advisor’s rise to the central committee.
Tungwarara did not respond to questions asking him the source of his bad blood with Tagwirei.
