“Everyone Knows ZANU PF Is Bankrolled By Kuda Tagwireyi”: Mliswa Takes Aim At VP Chiwenga

Temba Mliswa Slams VP Chiwenga Over Tagwirei Comments

Former independent legislator Temba Mliswa has launched a scathing public critique of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, accusing him of political grandstanding for publicly criticising businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei. The fiery comments, made on X on September 21, 2025, follow an explosive Politburo showdown in which Chiwenga allegedly accused Tagwirei of siphoning billions from the ruling party.

Mliswa argued that Chiwenga’s approach was deeply flawed and damaging, suggesting that such a sensitive matter concerning corruption and party funding should have been handled privately with President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He stated that corruption is a widespread national issue that should not be weaponised for internal political battles.

“Corruption is a national problem which can’t be hijacked for a few political points. That’s why I argued that the VP should have engaged the President in a different setting if the agenda was actually about making a national plan to deal with corruption.”

“We All Know How Zanu PF Is Bankrolled By Kuda”

In a series of posts, the former MP claimed it is an open secret within political circles that Kudakwashe Tagwirei is a primary financier for Zanu PF. He said the businessman’s backing reached deep into party operations.

“We all know how ZANU PF as a party is literally bankrolled by Kuda; funding the entire payroll for it’s HQ, buying cars for everyone from the top to the bottom. Why should any one of the leaders then besmirch others when all of them have been benefitting?”

He suggested that public criticism of the tycoon was inconsistent with the benefits senior figures, including Chiwenga, had allegedly enjoyed.

A Call For Private Protocol Over Public “Uppercuts”

Drawing on his traditional title of Sabhuku (village head), Mliswa argued that disputes should be handled privately before going public at the Dare (traditional court).

“Ini saSabhuku I meet villagers with problems& offer them advise. When the issue persists we then bring it to the public forum, kuDare (to the Court) where it is deliberated upon by many. It’s a sacrosanct protocol that upholds privacy, preserves dignity& advances development.”

He warned that public “uppercuts” risk deepening rifts inside the party.

“An antagonistic approach that begins by flaying others open only serves to deepen divisions, creates rifts and weakens the party. As it is, every political destitute, orphan and passerby, is feasting on the fractured figure of the party!”

A United Front Needed Against “Zvigananda” Corruption

Mliswa said the issue of corruption, which he referred to by the Shona term “Zvigananda”, is not new and not confined to any single faction. The term zvigananda, introduced by Chiwenga into the political lexicon, has since become central to the debate. It refers to individuals who accumulate wealth through illicit means and questionable morals, often exploiting connections within the state.

Mliswa argued for a coordinated response rather than public attacks.

“Zvigananda (politically connected elites who accumulate wealth through illicit means) isn’t a new phenomena, neither is it a preserve of any one side of the political factions. Thus, it should be dealt with through both a united front and a legitimate Gvt scheme not through impromptu uppercuts to decimate political opponents.”

The remarks by Mliswa came just days after an explosive report by ZimLive. The publication revealed that Vice President Chiwenga had confronted President Emmerson Mnangagwa during a politburo meeting, accusing Tagwirei of siphoning at least US$3.2 billion (R58 billion) through a shadowy Zanu PF stake in Sakunda Holdings. Chiwenga is said to have demanded the arrest of several businessmen accused of funnelling money to capture party structures. The report added that Mnangagwa later appointed a committee to probe the claims and even considered cancelling a planned trip to the United Nations to contain the fallout.