Mutsvangwa Backs Tungwarara Nomination Amid Zanu PF Procedural Row

Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has backed Manicaland’s nomination of Paul Tungwarara to the party’s central committee amid a dispute over internal procedures (image source)

Zanu PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has voiced support for the Manicaland provincial leadership’s nomination of Paul Tungwarara, an investment adviser to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to the party’s central committee, a move that has exposed tensions over provincial autonomy and national party control.

Manicaland’s provincial leadership nominated Tungwarara late last year to replace Dorothy Mabika, who was elected provincial chairwoman. The nomination was subsequently challenged by national commissar Munyaradzi Machacha, who wrote to the province stating that the process breached party procedure.

Speaking at the launch of the Presidential Constituency Empowerment Fund in Marange, Mutsvangwa defended the provincial choice and said he saw no reason why Tungwarara should not be co-opted to the central committee. “As Manicaland, you did a meeting to choose a central committee member and you chose comrade Tungwarara and I am happy that you did so united,” he said, adding that the matter was now before the politburo.

Paul Tungwarara (image source)

Mutsvangwa praised Tungwarara’s business record and his role as a presidential adviser, highlighting his involvement in empowerment initiatives aligned with Vision 2030. At the same event, Tungwarara urged aspirants not to use personal wealth to buy influence and expressed strong support for the President’s development agenda.

The empowerment fund launch saw three constituencies — Mutare North, Mutare West and Mutare South — each receive US$25,000. The gathering was attended by senior party figures including Manicaland provincial chair Tawanda Mukodza, politburo member Mike Madiro, and Women’s Affairs minister Monica Mutsvangwa.

The dispute underscores ongoing debates within Zanu PF over the balance between provincial decision-making and central oversight as the party prepares for future internal appointments.