Stop calling the wealthy ‘zvigananda’ warns ED’s spokesman

Kudakwashe Tagwirei addresses the gathering at Masvingo Polytechnic College while Obey Chimuka (right) smiles in the background
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s official spokesperson, George Charamba
The term, often used in a derogatory manner, is widely understood to target alleged ZANU PF-linked tenderpreneurs, businesspeople who allegedly benefit from government contracts through political connections.

The phrase “Chigananda” has recently taken centre stage in Zimbabwe’s political discourse. It gained popularity after it was used recently by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga in a pointed critique of individuals who amass wealth through questionable means.

Charamba, using his shadowy X account “Dhonzamusoro007,” weighed in on the conversation, appearing to push back against the negative connotation applied to entrepreneurs. He wrote:

My message to Zimbabweans. We can never grow and develop when we give wealth-generating initiatives derogatory names!!!

Title is key to capitalism we live under. Simply, we must learn to play the game. Unless we want socialism and can have it!!!

Charamba’s remarks followed comments from Kuda Tagwirei, a close associate of President Mnangagwa, who referred to his protégé, Obey Chimuka, as a “Chigananda.”

Chimuka, the owner of Fossil Contracting, has been awarded numerous road construction tenders across Zimbabwe. Said Tagwirei:

This is Obey Chimuka, the owner of Fossil Contracting. He has done so many projects and some people think his projects are my projects…his company is also behind the recent construction of the Mbare Musika Market…he is a Chigananda.

Chimuka, currently on the United States sanctions list, is the owner of Khaya Cement, formerly known as LaFarge Cement Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Tagwirei, the influential Chief Executive Officer of Sakunda Holdings, was speaking at Masvingo Polytechnic College for the “Leadership Success Series” programme.

Meanwhile, prominent constitutional lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu has weighed in on Tagwirei’s remarks and questioned the motivations behind his public embrace of the controversial term “Zvigananda” to describe his associates.

Mpofu took to social media to reflect on Tagwirei’s apparent reclamation of the label, raising questions about whether the move was a subtle show of defiance directed at the Vice President. He wrote on X:

I can’t decide what to make of Tagwireyi’s decision to parade his friends whilst proudly calling them Zvigananda. Was it an in-your-face insult to Chiwenga, who “coined” the term whilst possibly criticising the group?

He went further, suggesting that Tagwirei’s public remarks could be interpreted as a bold political message:

Was it Tagwireyi forcing the words down the feared General’s throat, saka muchaita sei style?

Does this signal a power shift within ZANU PF or just a moment of unchecked arrogance with consequences?