THE BILLIONAIRE WHO WANTS TO RULE ZIMBABWE

Kudakwashe Tagwirei is no longer hiding. He is slowly moving into politics, and many people now believe he wants to be the next president of Zimbabwe. Just a few days ago, he stood before thousands of young people at a church conference and told his story. He said he started his business with only US$7,000, that he sold his house in Westgate, took a risk, and built a business empire. Today, he is a rich man with close ties to President Mnangagwa. But behind these stories of success, something much bigger is happening — Tagwirei wants power.

He is not a small man in Zimbabwe. For years, Tagwirei has been one of Mnangagwa’s strongest allies. His company, Sakunda Holdings, has made millions through government contracts. Many accuse him of becoming rich through state tenders and corruption. Though he denies it, his name is always linked to looting, unfair deals, and political favoritism. He funds ZANU PF, gives money to the army, supports politicians, and even buys furniture for the ruling party’s offices. Now, many people believe he is preparing to take over when Mnangagwa is gone.

There is a big fight happening inside ZANU PF. Mnangagwa wants to stay in power until 2030, while his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, wants him to leave in 2028. This battle is tearing the party apart. Chiwenga is using war veterans and his army friends, while Mnangagwa is using businessmen like Tagwirei to fight back. Mnangagwa fears the same thing that happened to Mugabe in 2017 could happen to him. That is why he recently changed army commanders. Tagwirei is right in the middle of this dangerous power struggle.

Tagwirei is using religion, business, and money to win hearts. He tells young people that they can be rich like him. He quotes the Bible and praises Prophet Makandiwa for praying for him. He gives money to churches, the poor, and football teams like Dynamos and Highlanders. He has even been honored by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and runs a charity called the Bridging Gap Foundation. Every donation, every speech, and every public appearance is helping him build an image of a kind and generous man. But behind that image is a man carefully building political power.

He believes that if you have money, you can get power. That is dangerous thinking. In Zimbabwe, the army still controls most things, and power does not come from money alone. Chiwenga has soldiers behind him, but people say Tagwirei also has influence in the army. Some even claim he controls commanders like Brigadier-General Fidelis Mhonda, who leads the Presidential Guard. If that is true, it means Tagwirei is mixing money, religion, and the military — a deadly combination for any country.

Recently, ZANU PF made his position clear. On March 31, Tagwirei was added to the party’s Central Committee and made chairperson of the Land Tenure Implementation Committee. That means he is now officially inside the ruling party’s structures. His name is being whispered alongside Chiwenga and General Phillip Valerio Sibanda as possible successors to Mnangagwa. His political journey has already begun.

But we must be careful. Tagwirei has never been elected by the people. He has no political experience. His power comes from money and his closeness to Mnangagwa. If he becomes president, Zimbabwe will become a company owned by the rich, where ordinary people have no voice. That is not democracy. That is a rich man’s game, and it will destroy our country.

Across Africa, we are seeing billionaires trying to control politics, like Patrice Motsepe in South Africa. But Zimbabwe is not for sale. Our country belongs to the people, not to the rich and powerful. We must speak out. We must resist this new kind of politics where money replaces votes and donations replace democracy.

Tagwirei’s rise should worry every Zimbabwean who loves freedom. If we stay silent, our future will be bought by the highest bidder. We must say no — before it’s too late.