Sanyatwe Endorsement Fuels Tagwirei Speculation in Zanu PF Succession Battle
NYANGA — Speculation over the Zanu PF succession race has intensified following remarks by Retired Army General and current Sports Minister Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, who publicly praised controversial businessman Kuda Tagwirei for his loyalty to the military establishment.
Addressing party supporters in Nyanga over the weekend, Sanyatwe — renowned for his influence within Zimbabwe’s security sector — pointedly underscored Tagwirei’s perceived allegiance, declaring: “I pointed at him (Tagwirei) using my finger which was shot during the liberation struggle because it holds meaning.”
He added that Tagwirei “respects the military” — a statement interpreted by many as an endorsement of Tagwirei’s growing political stature within ruling party circles.
Tagwirei, a wealthy tycoon long associated with lucrative government contracts and fuel deals, has emerged as one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s closest confidants. His visible involvement in state affairs has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny, with critics alleging that he has wielded undue influence behind the scenes.
In recent months, insiders say Tagwirei has been increasingly positioned in roles typically reserved for senior government officials, often speaking or acting in ways that suggest he is Mnangagwa’s de facto emissary.
This has fuelled widespread talk that he may be groomed as a possible successor when Mnangagwa’s second and final term comes to an end — a prospect that has divided opinion within Zanu PF and the broader security establishment.
While the ruling party has so far avoided publicly discussing a clear succession plan, Sanyatwe’s remarks have laid bare the simmering tensions over who should take over from Mnangagwa, who came to power via a military-assisted transition in 2017.
Sources within the party suggest that while some senior officials back a civilian technocrat like Tagwirei to secure economic stability and protect vested interests, others remain adamant that only a candidate with liberation credentials or a strong military pedigree should lead Zanu PF post-Mnangagwa.
Political analysts say Sanyatwe’s carefully worded tribute signals an attempt by the military old guard to reassure its rank and file that any civilian successor — including Tagwirei — would safeguard their legacy and privileges accrued since independence.
The development comes as factional manoeuvring intensifies ahead of Zanu PF’s next elective congress, with rival camps quietly rallying behind potential candidates in anticipation of Mnangagwa’s eventual exit. Whether Tagwirei’s rise will unify or further fracture Zimbabwe’s ruling elite remains to be seen.
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