Tungwarara Offers US$10,000 Rewards to Pro-Mnangagwa Online Activists

HARARE — Presidential Investment Adviser Paul Tungwarara has announced cash rewards of US$10,000 each for several pro-government online activists, popularly known as Varakashi, in recognition of their defence of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the First Family during a period of sustained criticism on social media.

The announcement follows a highly publicised reconciliation between Tungwarara and social media commentator Rutendo Matinyarare, whose recent criticisms of the President and First Family had generated significant debate online. The rapprochement reportedly involved Tungwarara gifting Matinyarare a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series and US$200,000, a development that drew criticism from some ruling party supporters and online activists. Several Varakashi questioned why a prominent critic appeared to have been rewarded while individuals who had publicly defended the President received little recognition.

Responding to the concerns, Tungwarara announced that selected activists would each receive US$10,000 as a token of appreciation for their support.

“I wish to reward these comrades who fought by all means to protect the President by providing them with a token of appreciation of US$10,000 per person,” Tungwarara wrote on social media. “During the period when Matinyarare was attacking the President, these individuals did everything within their power to defend him and the First Family.”

In addition to the cash rewards, Tungwarara said his microfinance institution would extend low-interest loans to the activists to help them establish or expand small businesses.

“Furthermore, I will instruct my microfinance institution to offer them low-cost loans to help kickstart their small businesses,” he said.

Among those identified by Tungwarara as beneficiaries of the reward initiative are Kudzai Mutisi, Snowball Tongogara, Jones Musara, and Cleopas Mukungunugwa, all of whom are known for their active participation in political discussions and online campaigns supporting the ruling party and President Mnangagwa. It was not immediately clear whether additional activists would also qualify for the incentive programme.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some supporters praising Tungwarara for recognising individuals they believe have consistently defended the President and government policies online. Others, however, questioned the optics of rewarding political activism with cash incentives, arguing that such actions could fuel perceptions of patronage and partisan favouritism. The development also highlights the growing influence of social media in Zimbabwe's political landscape, where online commentators, influencers, and political activists increasingly shape public discourse and mobilise support for competing narratives.

The reconciliation between Tungwarara and Matinyarare attracted significant public attention after details of the reported gifts became public. While supporters described the gesture as an effort to foster unity and dialogue, critics questioned both the scale of the gifts and the message they conveyed to political supporters and opponents alike. Neither the President nor the ruling party had publicly commented on the reward scheme at the time of publication. The latest developments underscore the increasingly important role played by digital platforms in Zimbabwean politics, where online engagement has become a key battleground for influence, messaging, and political mobilisation.

Paul Tungwarara rewards Varakashi