Paul Tungwarara, a special adviser to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was on Sunday morning co-opted into the ruling party's Central Committee at an extraordinary Provincial Coordination Committee meeting.
The post became vacant after Chipinge Central Committee member Dorothy Mabika was elected provincial Women's League chairperson. Under the party's constitution, the seat was meant to be occupied by a Women's League representative from Chipinge.
But Tungwarara made certain of his cooption with donations of cars and cash to key party organs in the province under the obscure Presidential Constituency Development Empowerment Fund last week in what insiders described as a vote-buying gimmick.
On Saturday, party youths were each reportedly gifted US$200 by his loyalists to lobby for Tungwarara's co-option.
Tungwarara’s moment came when he was co-opted at an extraordinary Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting at Mutare Girls High School with backing from Zanu PF youth league, women's league, main wing, and war veterans.
Zanu PF Manicaland provincial youth member Victor Saunyama and Makoni District Coordinating Committee chairperson Kudzi Chipanga started the nominations after Zanu PF Manicaland chairman Tawanda Mukodza read the meeting's agenda.
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Mukodza said the purpose of the meeting was to co-opt a Central Committee member.
"This is an important meeting; this meeting is going to change Manicaland province, and this meeting should unite us as Manicaland province. We have one agenda today: the co-option of a Central Committee member," Mukodza said.
It did not take long, as the packed hall began chanting Tungwarara's name, claiming that no one would stop his co-option.
Former Chipinge South legislator Enock Porusingazi said Tungwarara was from Manicaland.
"I grew up with Tungwarara in Chipinge before he went to Buhera, and we used to herd cattle together. We are happy that we have such people in the province; it's a blessing to us," he said.
Zanu PF secretary for Legal Affairs in the province, Innocent Benza, said the co-option was legal.
"I want to say to you all that what we are doing is above board and constitutional," he added.
Central Committee member Esau Mupfumi said Tungwarara would bring empowerment to the province.
"We are happy with the coming of the presidential adviser, Paul Tungwarara, into the Central Committee. This is going to bring empowerment to the province, and we are very happy," he said.
Addressing the gathering, Tungwarara said he was happy with the post.
"This is the work of God, and I am happy that you have shown confidence in me. I will continue to carry out my empowerment projects."
In Harare, businessman and Zanu-PF benefector, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who has donated cars and cash to key ruling party organs, was in October also coopted into the party’s Central Committee.