The fall of the ‘New Grace’: Tungwarara stripped of projects amid reckless outbursts
HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has moved to clip the wings of his Special Investment Adviser, Paul Tungwarara, suspending his high-profile rallies and exclusive mining rights “corruptly” granted to his Prevail Group following a series of public attacks on rival business tycoons and mounting allegations of state capture.
The crackdown, which surfaced this week, signals a significant shift in the internal power dynamics of the ruling Zanu-PF party as the battle for presidential succession intensifies.
The Zanu-PF Commissariat has suspended the distribution of the Presidential Economic Empowerment Revolving Fund, a program Tungwarara spearheaded and frequently used as a platform to bolster his political standing. Party Secretary General Jacob Mudenda is expected to issue new guidelines.
“The Secretary General Cde Advocate J.F.N. Mudenda will soon issue new guidelines on the distribution, utilisation and management of the Fund. Provinces are advised to comply with this Party position pending further instruction,” read part of the directive.
Simultaneously, Tafadzwa Muguti, the Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution, has directed the immediate cancellation of all prior approvals granted to Tungwarara’s company, Prevail Group of Companies, for river rehabilitation projects.
This move follows a controversial circular from the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture earlier this month, which had originally granted Prevail Group exclusive “prototype” rights to rehabilitate the Muroodzi River while suspending all other alluvial mining and rehabilitation activities nationwide.
Critics at the time alleged the suspension was a “rent-seeking maneuver” designed to create a monopoly for the politically connected firm.
The sudden disciplinary measures appear to be a direct response to Tungwarara’s unrestrained public attack on businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei during a rally in Manicaland last week.
While Tungwarara did not mention Tagwirei by name, he accused the Sakunda Holdings owner of being “power hungry” and unfit for the presidency.
He claimed the businessman was pressuring President Mnangagwa to fire Vice Presidents and senior ministers, while also attempting to drive a wedge between other prominent tenderpreneurs, including Scott Sakupwanya and Wicknell Chivhayo.
“Don’t provoke me, I will expose you,” Tungwarara warned at the rally.
“You go to permanent secretaries, this one should be removed, what kind of a person is this?”
Beyond the factional infighting, Tungwarara’s downfall has been accelerated by long-standing allegations of financial impropriety.
His company, Prevail International, has faced intense scrutiny over the Presidential Borehole Scheme, with Members of Parliament reporting numerous abandoned or non-functional projects despite the disbursement of millions in public funds.
Beyond politics, Tungwarara has angered many Zimbabweans with his flashy lifestyle. While the country faces economic hardships, he has been seen showing off a private jet, a helicopter, and mansions in Dubai and South Africa.
He is accused of swindling international investors and bypassing transport regulations for his ride-hailing service, Tap and Go Taxis.
Observers have noted a striking resemblance between Tungwarara’s recent political conduct and that of the former First Lady, Grace Mugabe.
Both figures rose to prominence through derivative authority, using public rallies to launch vitriolic attacks on rivals while framing themselves as the President’s “lone defenders.”
Political activist Ace Lumumba recently warned that Tungwarara’s “defense” of the President might be counterproductive.
“The most dangerous enemy is the one who destroys you in your name,” Lumumba said in a viral video.
