NYANGA, ZIMBABWE – June 11, 2025 — Zimbabwe’s political succession debate has taken a dramatic new turn after Retired General and Sports Minister Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe publicly endorsed controversial business mogul Kuda Tagwirei for his loyalty to the country’s powerful military establishment.
Speaking to Zanu PF supporters at a weekend rally in Nyanga, Sanyatwe , a key figure in Zimbabwe’s security elite gave what many interpret as a symbolic nod to Tagwirei’s potential rise within the ruling party.
“I pointed at him [Tagwirei] using my finger which was shot during the liberation struggle because it holds meaning,” Sanyatwe said.
“He respects the military.”
A Kingmaker’s Signal?
Sanyatwe’s remarks, delivered with deliberate military nostalgia, were widely seen as more than just flattery. Political insiders believe the gesture signals growing backing for Tagwirei within key military-aligned factions of Zanu PF, effectively elevating him from presidential confidant to a potential successor.
Tagwirei, a billionaire businessman and long-time Mnangagwa ally, has been at the center of political intrigue for years. He is best known for securing lucrative fuel and infrastructure contracts and has been sanctioned by Western governments for alleged corruption and state capture.
Despite lacking liberation war credentials or a formal government post, Tagwirei has often acted as Mnangagwa’s unofficial envoy, appearing at high-level events and engaging in state business typically reserved for cabinet ministers.
Succession Race Heating Up
With President Mnangagwa serving his final constitutional term, speculation is intensifying around who will take the reins of power. Zanu PF has remained tight-lipped on succession, but behind the scenes, factional battles are escalating.
Sanyatwe’s tribute to Tagwirei may be the clearest indication yet that some within the security establishment are willing to back a civilian technocrat, provided he protects the military’s interests and post-independence legacy.
However, this position is far from universally accepted. Sources within Zanu PF say tensions are growing between:
- Reformists, who favour a pragmatic, business-minded successor like Tagwirei, and
- Hardliners, who insist that the next leader must have liberation war credentials or a strong military background.
Analysts: Military Blessing Could Shield Civilian Candidate
Political analysts argue that Sanyatwe’s remarks were strategically crafted to reassure veterans and army insiders that Tagwirei despite being a civilian would uphold the military-first ethos that has guided Zimbabwe since independence.
“The statement is a signal to the rank and file that if Tagwirei rises, he’ll be an extension of the security establishment, not a threat to it,” said one Harare-based political analyst.
What’s Next?
The development comes as Zanu PF gears up for its next elective congress, expected in 2026, where succession dynamics will be more openly contested. While no formal candidates have declared their interest, behind-the-scenes alignments suggest the race to succeed Mnangagwa is already well underway.
Whether Tagwirei’s growing influence will consolidate power or spark deeper divisions within Zimbabwe’s ruling elite remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the game of succession has begun and the military is once again at the centre of it.
