HARARE – A leaked audio recording allegedly capturing a conversation between businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and politician Temba Mliswa has surfaced, in which Mliswa is heard demanding compensation for political support, proposing protection from smear campaigns for Tagwirei’s allies, and discussing the removal of former Energy Minister Fortune Chasi after he allegedly ignored advice from Tagwirei.
In the audio, whose authenticity has not been independently verified, Mliswa is heard telling Tagwirei that he has been publicly defending and supporting him but has not benefited from that support.
The former Norton legislator’s sentiments suggest that his backing is transactional, a claim consistent with his long-standing reputation as a political actor who demands kickbacks or financial inducements in exchange for loyalty or protection.
The recording further alleges that Tagwirei harbours ambitions to succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose term is expected to end in 2028.
“This thing (power) is yours”.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is widely viewed as a frontrunner in the succession race, and Mliswa has in recent months been outspokenly critical of him.
According to claims, Mliswa was allegedly hired by Tagwirei to advance his political interests.
In one section of the audio, Mliswa reportedly tells Tagwirei that he should disclose the names of individuals aligned with him so that they can be spared from Mliswa’s public smear campaigns. In another segment, Tagwirei is heard referring to former Energy Minister Fortune Chasi, claiming that Chasi did not take his advice prior to being dismissed from Cabinet in 2021.
The leaked recording has prompted reactions on social media and among political commentators. Writing on X, political commentator Byron Dzinoreva described the audio as “disturbing,” arguing that, if taken at face value, it suggests a political environment in which economic power is used to influence public officials and punish perceived non-compliance.
He said the remarks attributed to Tagwirei regarding Chasi point to what he termed a “dangerous inversion of accountability,” where ministers risk removal for resisting pressure from private business interests.
Dzinoreva further criticised what he characterised as the role of political actors acting as “enforcers or proxies”.
“The claim that Tagwirei complains that the then Energy Minister Fortune Chasi “did not listen to him,” followed by the implication that this non-compliance contributed to Chasi’s removal as Minister in 2021, speaks to a dangerous inversion of accountability and capture.
“Ministers are appointed to serve the public interest, not to act as subcontractors of corrupt private capital. When a minister is allegedly deemed expendable for refusing to take instructions from a business oligarch, governance collapses into rent-seeking and patronage,” Dzinoreva stated.
Another political commentator, Lynne Stactia, also weighed in, alleging that Mliswa targets individuals not on the basis of corruption, but according to whether they oppose or align with his alleged paymasters.
She described Mliswa as a “mercenary” who survives through extortion, and claimed his criticism of Chiwenga stems from the Vice President’s refusal to engage with him.
