Kudakwashe Tagwirei is no longer pretending to stay in the shadows. He is now standing in the spotlight and showing the country that he wants more than just money. He wants power. He recently spoke at a major youth church conference, telling thousands of young people that he started his business empire with only seven thousand US dollars. He claimed to have sold his house in Westgate and taken a huge risk to succeed. Today, he is one of the richest men in Zimbabwe. But what he is not telling people is that his riches come with serious political strings attached. And now, the whispers are turning into loud voices across the country. Many believe Tagwirei wants to be Zimbabwe’s next president.
Tagwirei has long been close to President Mnangagwa. His company Sakunda Holdings has made millions from government contracts. While he denies corruption, it is no secret that he has benefited from a system built on patronage and secrecy. He funds ZANU PF. He funds the army. He funds politicians and churches. He even paid for furniture at the ruling party’s headquarters. Tagwirei is not just a businessman. He is a kingmaker. And now, he wants the crown.
Right now, ZANU PF is facing a civil war. Mnangagwa wants to rule until 2030. His deputy Chiwenga wants him gone by 2028. This fight is tearing the party apart. Chiwenga is relying on war veterans and his old army connections. Mnangagwa is relying on money and businessmen like Tagwirei. Fearing another military-style takeover like the one that removed Mugabe, Mnangagwa recently changed the army leadership. Tagwirei is deeply involved in this power struggle. He is more than just a silent partner. He is a key player in the game.
Tagwirei is now mixing business, religion, and politics to build a new image. He tells young people they can become rich like him. He speaks in churches, quotes Bible verses, and praises Prophet Makandiwa for praying for him. He is not only a businessman. He is now a spiritual figure to many. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church even gave him an award. He gives food to the poor through his Bridging Gap Foundation and sponsors football giants like Dynamos and Highlanders. But behind this giving is a dangerous ambition. Tagwirei is preparing for something bigger.
He once said that with money, you can get power. That statement is a warning. Zimbabwe is not a company to be bought. It is a country that must be led by the people’s choice. Tagwirei’s influence is not just financial. Reports suggest he controls some key army figures, including the head of the Presidential Guard. This means he has both money and military muscle. That should alarm every citizen.
Tagwirei is already being rewarded with political power. He was co-opted into ZANU PF’s central committee. He is chairing the Land Tenure Implementation Committee. These are serious positions that show he is no longer behind the scenes. His name is now being mentioned alongside Chiwenga and General Sibanda as possible successors to Mnangagwa. This is no accident. It is part of a carefully planned rise to the top.
But we must ask ourselves. Who is Tagwirei? He has never been elected. He has no public service track record. His power comes from money and connections. If he becomes president, Zimbabwe will not be led. It will be owned. We cannot allow one man’s wealth to replace the voice of millions. We cannot allow the future of our nation to be bought like shares in a company.
We are now entering dangerous territory. Billionaires like Tagwirei want to turn political systems into personal projects. But Zimbabwe belongs to its people. It is not for sale. Let us speak up now before it is too late. Let us say no.
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