IN JUNE last year, a guest writer in one of Zimbabwe’s leading daily newspapers opined that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government was in the throes of a serious misinformation campaign and marked by damaging leaks of half-baked information by malicious trolls, and their bureaucratic conspirators.
While the country has been hit by a number of pseudo scandals, including the pre-May 03 Wicknell Chivayo-President Cyril Ramaphosa dalliances, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allegedly clandestine trip to Belarus and the spiriting away of millions worth gold to that country, the noise or hullabaloo around a certain saga is just an addition to that growing list of that worrying trend aimed at destabilising the Harare administration.
Under these ‘state capture’ narratives, Tagwirei is accused of harbouring Cecil John Rhodes-like plans and ambitions to colonise Zimbabwe through various means. In short, proponents of this self-serving theory NEVER want to see anything good coming out of this country, as they prefer a “slash and burn” strategy or approach to issues or governance.
And much as the Sakunda Holdings owner, and a few others like Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Tatenda Mavetera and Daniel Garwe have taken it upon themselves to champion the constitutional amendment bill (CAB) number three programme - and he might actually be interested in the top job - it is inconceivable that he might have to do it in such a reckless manner that also undermines Mnangagwa and his alleged rivals, including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, given the intricacies of power in Zanu PF and Sun Tzu’s ages-old wisdom about: NOT OUTSHINING THE MASTER!
In this case and several other reasons, it would also be foolhardy for the fuel tycoon to unveil his leadership plan before 2027’s elective congress, he is even admitted into the politburo and act in an arrogant manner given his experiences with his central committee cooption.
Crucially, and for someone allegedly interested in the number one office, there is NO WAY he could have taken such a gamble against a higher authority with massive prosecutorial powers and potentially harm his business empire.
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As such, this saga has all the hallmarks of an operation to not only put a wedge between Tagwirei and Mnangagwa, but continue to impair and undermine his duties and contributions in the party. Moreover, rebuttals from various figures have further discredited this project.
And as TWO of that particular paper’s regular contributors Forward Madyira, and Togaraseyi Nyika always say, Zimbabwe is not only in the THROES of a serious misinformation campaign, but would the middle-aged tycoon be so “stupid” and wanna have a go at his principals so brazenly, and without building a solid Zanu PF support base or entrenching himself first?
Unfortunately, this culture of unwarranted attacks is now being amplified by the likes of Rutendo Matinyarare, whose claim to fame or credibility is that they were pseudo-insiders and, therefore, have a better standing or platform to attack Tagwirei. But the supposition is that the billionaire businessman would have calculated and factored in this risk that there would even be defectors, if not sellouts - of the Maurice Tshombe or Judas Iscariot profile - and ever since he set out to openly work with and help his beloved Zanu PF.
At any rate, there isn’t much anything new in this saga except a few speculative theories or lines outside what is already in the public domain.
While many would have actually seen this, like many recent setbacks, as his political demise, Tagwirei might actually come out or emerge stronger as his short political career has proven to be the proverbial cat’s nine lives time and again. At any rate, Mnangagwa - and the “gods” themselves - wouldn’t have called him Peter for no reason!
At best - and for now - the episode might have only “sullied” Tagwirei’s joy, and euphoria around his son’s extravagant nuptials, but it’s likely to blow over with time.
But in line with the proven theory where those who are actually contributing something meaningful to the party and national progress are always hammered — it is not surprising why Tagwirei and others are always under fire from even people who are supposed to know better: scribes and pseudo analysts!
Much as the Zanu PF benefactor is a very controversial man - from the way he formally entered the political fray in Bulawayo last year and to his business dealings - the latest attacks on him are linked to his attempts to continue shoring up Mnangagwa’s administration and legacy.
But as, though, the middle-aged tycoon has been alone in leading this party programme, he has typically been targeted for attacks and ridicule, as his opponents seek to do him down.
But in this typically fractious, politically charged and polarised nation, the daggers have always been drawn on the Sakunda boss alone.
And as is always the case, the push back and fight from those threatened by Tagwirei’s efforts, including the sponsorship of the party on many fronts, has somewhat been swift, vicious, dirty and unkind – regardless of his nationalistic intentions, and role as one of the key volunteers to help fix the economy!
As it is, the self-made tycoon is on the receiving end, if not a barrage of blows, for allegedly seeking to grab power through dubious means and a fact he has always vehemently denied.
Firstly, Tagwirei has demonstrated his dedication and loyalty to the party leadership, and the second republic in general by putting his purse and neck on the block in 2017, but has also proven to be its super strategist and backer as witnessed in the 2023 elections.
While we hold no brief for the under-fire Sakunda co-founder, who has probably resigned to the fact that “criticism and often undue attention or scrutiny comes with the territory in his volunteered role”, one gets a feeling that some of the brickbats and conspiratorial theories have really been unfair, and way below the belt!
Further, the idea of this installment is not to vouch for Tagwirei’s innocence or lack thereof, but one is really tempted to exonerate him in this instance as there is NO DIRECT voice or opinion linking him to this saga and, therefore, blame him of any wrongdoing. If anything, he could also have been a “victim of self-seeking and money-mongering vultures” in our midst.
In the wake of robust debate since yesterday, the above arguments might actually poke holes into these frenzied narratives about the businessman-cum-politician’s alleged misdeeds!
But since making his grand entry into mainstream politics at the National University of Science and Trust last year, Tagwirei MUST accept that for as long as he continues to "pull his jacket" and make those shrewd moves - just as he does in business – his opponents will always be ready to repay him in kind, if not malicious and sometimes untrue ways!