Zimbabwe’s political landscape, perpetually a theatre of shifting alliances and backroom deals, is currently gripped by a dramatic unfolding: the very public fallout between business tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei, often dubbed the “Queen Bee” for his pervasive influence, and his long-time protégé, Youth Empowerment Minister Tino Machakaire (aka TINmac). What was once a carefully orchestrated path to the presidency for Machakaire has reportedly devolved into a bitter rivalry, as Tagwirei himself now angles for the top seat, leaving Machakaire stranded and enraged.
For over a decade, Tagwirei has allegedly played the role of the ultimate political puppeteer, meticulously cultivating Machakaire as his ideal political frontman. Originally, their agreement was that Tagwirei would remain a powerful business tycoon, silently raising a loyal, young, and ambitious protégé within the party to serve as his political face. This patronage extended far beyond mere mentorship. Through his vast business empire, including lucrative fuel and transport deals for Machakaire’s company, Tinmac, Tagwirei consistently ensured his protégé was financially resourced, particularly for political campaigns.
Tagwirei’s strategy was reportedly a masterclass in exploiting ZANU-PF’s unwritten rules of succession. Understanding the party’s principle of provincial rotation for the presidency and vice-presidency – with Mashonaland East earmarked for the next president and Manicaland for the vice president – Tagwirei allegedly engineered Machakaire’s strategic move from Mutare to represent his rural home in Mashonaland East. This province also conveniently happens to be Vice President Chiwenga’s stronghold.
Furthermore, to meet the party’s unwritten qualifications for presidential consideration (five years as a district leader and five years at provincial level), Tagwirei reportedly facilitated Machakaire’s ascension within the party ranks. He was ushered into the Mashonaland East provincial council as secretary for business, a move allegedly “engineered by Kuda through his relationship and his MO where money moved to get what he wants.” The culmination of this long-term play came in 2018 when Tagwirei purportedly orchestrated a “coup” on the nationally nominated youth chairman, installing Machakaire in that position. This granted Machakaire a crucial seat on the Central Committee and Politburo, fulfilling the minimum qualification for higher office.
All this time, Machakaire reportedly remained confident, resting on the assurance that his patron was carving his path to the throne. The revelation that Tagwirei is now pursuing the presidency for himself, however, has sent shockwaves through their long-standing alliance, leaving Machakaire in “dismay.”
Tagwirei’s alleged shift in ambition isn’t without motive. He reportedly fears that if his meticulously laid plans for Machakaire fail, his vast financial investments would be lost. More critically, he understands that the ascension of any other leader could expose him to legal repercussions for his alleged “gross government capture” and opaque deals, many reportedly designed with kickbacks to senior officials and aimed at building his own financial war chest. Indeed, Tagwirei has been the subject of numerous corruption allegations, including significant sums linked to the Command Agriculture program and preferential access to foreign exchange. The publication Fate of the Nation explicitly names Tagwirei as “deeply implicated in our economic catastrophe” and “sanctioned globally for corruption.”
Initially, Tagwirei reportedly sought a “backdoor entrance” to the Central Committee through co-option in Masvingo province. However, he has since shifted focus, now aiming for the Harare province as his entry point. The rationale: Harare province has never produced a president or vice president, providing a potential basis for his nomination. Yet, questions linger over how he intends to “manufacture” the requisite five years of district and provincial leadership experience all before the 2028 elections.
The simmering tensions have now boiled over. At a recent birthday celebration for ZANU-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa, Machakaire was reportedly heard “talking a lot of dirt on Tagwirei,” publicly declaring his intention to be a “stumbling block” to Tagwirei’s presidential ambitions. This public defiance marks a significant turning point, especially considering Machakaire’s past comfort with the very “audacity of using money to buy the presidency” when it benefited him.
Machakaire now finds himself at a precarious crossroads. His unwavering faith in Tagwirei’s long game appears to have led him to alienate key figures within Vice President Chiwenga’s camp. Caught between the ire of his former paymaster and the distrust of a powerful faction within the ruling party, Tino Machakaire is indeed caught “between a rock and a hard place.” The unfolding drama promises to be a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s intricate political saga, exposing the raw ambition and cutthroat nature of power within the ZANU-PF elite.
