HARARE – Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has delivered a strong condemnation of corruption and “phantom entrepreneurship,” widely seen as a direct rebuke of businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who recently declared that avoiding government tenders makes one “foolish.”
Speaking to a gathering of business leaders at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) congress on Thursday, Chiwenga condemned “unscrupulous, so-called business people operating from briefcases with no traceable capital or legitimate enterprise.”
He further stated, “This culture of phantom entrepreneurship, where money appears without any known source, is not only economically corrosive, but ethically bankrupt.”
“We all know that money does not fall from the heavens like manna. The time of Moses is no longer here. Real businesses are built through hard work, discipline, sacrifice and value creation,” the former Army General stated.
“The day of reckoning is inevitable for those who undermine our economic integrity by engaging in shadowy dealings.”
Tagwirei, whose companies, notably Sakunda Holdings, have secured numerous lucrative government contracts across sectors like fuel, agriculture, and mining, had made his “tenderpreneur” comments on Wednesday in Bulawayo.
He argued that engaging with the government, as the largest buyer and seller in the country, is a fundamental aspect of successful business.
He dismissed critics as “jealous” and drew parallels to global figures like Elon Musk, whom he described as a “tenderpreneur” due to government contracts.
“Anyone who is going to tell you that you must not get tenders is foolish. You must actually strive to get a tender from the government. Those who are saying these ones are tenderpreneurs are jealous because they don’t get the tenders,” Tagwirei stated.
Tagwirei’s business empire, however, has long been under scrutiny, with accusations of preferential treatment, lack of transparency, and state capture.
Investigations by organisations like the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and The Sentry have raised concerns over billions of dollars in payments received by his companies, sometimes under opaque or allegedly unlawful circumstances.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Tagwirei in 2020 for allegedly providing support to the leadership of the Government of Zimbabwe and for corruption.
Once considered close allies, reports suggest a falling out between Chiwenga and Tagwirei, with the latter reportedly cementing ties with President Emmerson Mnangagwa during Chiwenga’s prolonged illness.
Tagwirei has since transitioned into an active political role, now sitting on Zanu-PF’s Central Committee and reportedly eyeing a position in the Politburo.
Tagwirei is allegedly preparing himself to succeed President Mnangagwa and elbow out Chiwenga who is regarded as the front runner in the succession race.
