HARARE – A confidential seven-page document, authored by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and presented to the ZANU-PF politburo on September 17, has been leaked, revealing a dramatic internal confrontation over alleged corruption and the influence of prominent businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a figure closely associated with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The explosive dossier, now circulating publicly, contains accusations of “brazen and systematic looting” of state resources orchestrated by Tagwirei, with the vice president alleging that the businessman has siphoned off more than US$1.9 billion from public funds through the Ministry of Finance. The alleged scheme involved the purported sale of a 35 percent stake in Kuvimba Mining House to the government.
Chiwenga further claims that Tagwirei illegally seized control of state assets, including Sandawana Mine and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ stake in Great Dyke Investments, incorporating them into his private business empire.
Mvuto, according to Chiwenga, is part of ZANU-PF’s investment vehicle, the little-known National Reconstruction Group, which previously surfaced in connection with the ownership of 40 percent of Kusena Diamonds.
The leaked document details more than just accusations against Tagwirei. Chiwenga alleges that a network of businessmen, including Wicknell Chivhayo, Scott Sakupwanya, and Delish Nguwaya, have collectively “stolen more than US$3.2 billion of government funds.”
According to the leaked document, Chiwenga alleged that:
- Chivhayo stole US$45 million from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and more than US$193 million “through one bank.”
- Sakupwanya took more than US$800 million through the “gold incentive scheme, which has now become a tollgate fraud.”
- Nguwaya benefited from US$222 million in inflated government contracts, including the Pomona waste-to-energy project and Clean Planet Resources supply deals with the ministry of health.
Chiwenga accuses these businessmen of funding the so-called “2030 Agenda,” a campaign allegedly aimed at extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s stay in power beyond the constitutional limit, and of bribing party structures to garner support for this initiative.
“The time for silence and inaction is over,” Chiwenga wrote in the document. “We cannot fold our hands while these criminals steal from our state coffers and use the same resources to corrupt our party and destroy our revolution.”
The vice president also warned that the group had transformed the president’s private office into a “parallel centre of government decision-making.”
The leaked document has ignited significant tensions within ZANU-PF ahead of the party’s annual conference in Mutare, scheduled to run from October 13 to 18. While neither the presidency nor the individuals named in the document have publicly responded to the allegations, sources indicate that Mnangagwa has prepared a response to Chiwenga, which he intends to present at the party’s politburo meeting preceding the conference.
Chiwenga’s document also accuses Tagwirei of “stealing” and “concealing” ZANU-PF’s 45% shareholding in Sakunda Holdings, held by Mvuto Investments (Private) Limited. This investment vehicle of the ruling party is controlled through the National Reconstruction Group, a previously unacknowledged entity. It was revealed that the National Reconstruction Group was also used to conceal a secret stake held by ZANU-PF in Kusena Diamonds, which was partly owned by the Central Intelligence Organisation during the Chiadzwa diamond mining rush.
Tagwirei, a politically connected tycoon whose businesses dominate Zimbabwe’s fuel, mining, and agriculture sectors, has consistently denied accusations of corruption or undue influence, maintaining that his companies operate lawfully and transparently.
The public narrative surrounding Tagwirei is that he is the founder and co-owner of Sakunda Holdings, alongside his wife, Sandra Mpunga. He has stated that he sold his house in Westgate, Harare, to start the business, using the proceeds to buy two tankers of fuel.
Since its establishment in 2001, Sakunda has grown into a major corporate giant, although its history has been marked by controversy and accusations of using political connections and patronage to secure lucrative government deals. A business alliance with Swiss commodities giant Trafigura Group in 2011 provided Sakunda with preferential access to the Beira oil pipeline from Mozambique, significantly increasing its profits.
Chiwenga’s explosive claims, now substantiated by the leaked dossier, represent one of the most direct challenges to Mnangagwa’s authority since he assumed power. The allegations have raised serious questions about the extent of corruption within the government and the ruling party, and the potential consequences for Zimbabwe’s political and economic future.
The leak comes at a time when Zimbabwe is grappling with significant economic challenges, including high inflation, unemployment, and shortages of essential goods. The allegations of corruption and looting of state resources are likely to further erode public trust in the government and fuel discontent among the population.
The spotlight is now firmly on President Mnangagwa and the ZANU-PF leadership to address the allegations raised in Chiwenga’s dossier and take decisive action to combat corruption and ensure accountability. The outcome of this internal power struggle could have far-reaching implications for Zimbabwe’s political landscape and its prospects for economic recovery.
It is worth noting that Tagwirei remains on the United States and United Kingdom sanctions lists, despite many other politicians having been removed. Investigations by organisations like Open Secrets and The Sentry have alleged that Tagwirei used Sotic International to conceal his ownership of Zimbabwean mining assets and move millions of dollars in illicit financial flows. Following the imposition of sanctions in 2020, Tagwirei began restructuring his business empire, moving his vast mining interests into Kuvimba Mining House, which was initially majority state-owned before being bought by the government outright.
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