BETRAYING THE PRINCIPLES OF PATRIOTISM AND DEMOCRACY: UNPACKING THE CASE OF ELDER KUDAKWASHE TAGWIREI.

BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA.

Kudakwashe Tagwirei is a prominent Zimbabwean businessman and entrepreneur known for his significant influence in the country’s fuel and mining sectors.

He’s the founder of Sakunda Holdings, a conglomerate with interests in energy, trading, and infrastructure.

Tagwirei’s rise to prominence has been marked by both success and controversy, with many questioning the transparency of his business dealings and his close ties to Zimbabwe’s political elite, particularly the ruling party ZANU-PF.

Tagwirei has built a blissful business empire, and his name carries weight. Tagwirei’s Sakunda Holdings has become a major player in Zimbabwe’s fuel industry, supplying fuel to several major outlets and securing government contracts.

He boasted that those who are not awarded tenders are foolish, suggesting that he is wise and manipulates the tender system of the country.

Kudakwashe Tagwirei is very close to the president of Zimbabwe and his family. This closeness gives Tagwirei an unchallenged advantage in having tenders awarded to his businesses.

Controversies and Sanctions: In 2020, the United States Treasury imposed sanctions on Tagwirei, citing corruption and his role in undermining democratic institutions in Zimbabwe.

The USA accused him of using his business empire to enrich himself while contributing to the suffering of ordinary Zimbabweans.

Influence and Power.

Tagwirei’s relationships with Zimbabwe’s political leaders and his involvement in funding particular initiatives have positioned him as a power broker in the country.

His influence extends beyond business, with some analysts seeing his involvement in politics as a game-changer due to his ability to mobilize resources and attract investment.

Tagwirei is a talented speaker, and when he addresses the people, he can convince them.

While his exact net worth isn’t publicly disclosed, Tagwirei is considered one of Zimbabwe’s wealthiest individuals, with significant holdings in energy, mining, and other sectors.

He is believed to be a multi-billionaire owning most of the government’s and national assets.

This gives him an undue advantage.

Philanthropy, despite controversies surrounding his business dealings, Tagwirei has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting youth empowerment programs, funding educational initiatives, and backing community development projects.

Tagwirei has plunged himself into politics and has skillfully used money to buy power and influence in ZANU PF.

Tagwirei is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he is an elder of the church.

Kudakwashe Tagwirei has been making headlines for his potential entry into politics, with some Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church leaders rallying behind his ambitions.

Some SDA church leaders have publicly endorsed Tagwirei’s political aspirations, arguing that his involvement in politics could bring a moral compass to the country’s governance.

They cite examples of other Adventists who have successfully held public office, such as former US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson and Hakainde Hichilema, the current President of Zambia.

However, not all SDA members are supportive of Tagwirei’s political ambitions. Some have expressed concerns about his perceived closeness to the ruling elite and opaque business dealings.

A petition even surfaced calling for the revocation of Tagwirei’s Global Award of Excellence, which he received from the SDA Church’s General Conference for his contributions to global education.

The debate has sparked an internal rift within the SDA Church, with some members questioning whether Tagwirei’s political involvement aligns with the church’s religious mandate.

Others argue that Adventists should be encouraged to participate in politics, citing Ellen G. White’s writings that support faithful, principled engagement in governance.

Ironically, those in the Seventh Day Adventist church opposing Tagwirei are led by the senior opposition lawyer, Advocate Thabani Mpofu.

The entrance of Thabani Mpofu in the opposition politics against Tagwirei is laughable because he is saying that being in opposition is not participating in politics.

So it is selfish for those same Adventists participating in opposition politics to castigate others.

The church must not be used to fight out different political beliefs.

Despite the controversy, Tagwirei has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting SDA institutions and scholarships in Zimbabwe and beyond.

His Bridging Gaps Foundation has also been involved in various community development initiatives.

Overall, Tagwirei’s relationship with the SDA Church is complex, reflecting both the potential benefits and challenges of intertwining faith and politics.

Now, coming to Tagwirei’s divisive entry into politics.

Tagwirei claims to be a member of ZANU PF. He has made several donations of cars and money to get closer to the top of ZANU PF.

The principles of ZANU PF are being put to task and this has divided the party into two parts.

There are those greedy party leaders who are bought by money and those who are principled and remain resolute.

It is sad for any organisation to be financed by one person.

Having one person sponsor a political party can be problematic for several reasons:

The sponsor will exert Undue Influence on the members.

A single sponsor can exert significant influence over the party’s policies and decisions, potentially leading to a lack of diversity in viewpoints and ideas.

There will be a serious Conflict of Interest.

The sponsor’s interests may not align with those of the party’s members or constituents, potentially leading to decisions that benefit the sponsor rather than the party or the public.

Lack of Transparency.

A single sponsor can create a lack of transparency in party financing, making it difficult to track the source of funds and potential motivations.

This breeds Corruption and Favouritism.

A single sponsor can lead to corruption and favoritism, where the party prioritizes the sponsor’s interests over the needs and concerns of its constituents.

This leads to serious Undemocratic Decision-Making.

A single sponsor can undermine the democratic decision-making process within the party, potentially leading to authoritarian or undemocratic decision-making.

This can be seen in the way Tagwirei was co-opted into the Central Committee.

Control by money is Perceived as a Lack of Independence.

A party heavily reliant on a single sponsor may be perceived as lacking independence, which can erode public trust and credibility.

These concerns highlight the importance of diverse funding sources and transparent party financing to ensure that political parties remain accountable and responsive to their constituents.

Allowing money to control a social group or political party can have significant effects, including; wealthy individuals or organizations can exert significant influence over decision-making processes, potentially leading to policies that benefit their interests rather than the greater good.

This brings Disproportionate Representation. Money can lead to disproportionate representation of certain groups or interests, potentially marginalizing or excluding others.

Corruption and Favouritism become the order of the day.

The influence of money can lead to corruption and favoritism, where decisions are made based on personal gain rather than the public interest.

The masses will see the Erosion of Trust.

When money plays a significant role in decision-making, it can erode trust in institutions and leaders, potentially leading to disillusionment and disengagement.

Inequality and Exclusion

The dominance of money can exacerbate existing inequalities, as those with more resources may have greater access to power and influence.

Policy Distortion will be the order of the day.

Money can distort policy priorities, leading to decisions that benefit special interests rather than the broader public good.

There will be serious consequences for democracy.

Undermining Democratic Principles.

The influence of money can undermine democratic principles, such as equal representation and fair decision-making.

This will bring about Weakening Accountability. Money can weaken accountability mechanisms, making it difficult to hold leaders and institutions accountable for their actions.

ZANU PF is now at a crossroads, and the principles are being bent.

The reason for forming ZANU PF is now being defined negatively.

If Tongogara is to wake up now, he will straight away die again.

He will be appalled.

The roots of the party are now shaking and the principles of the party are now being defiled.

Now, the slogan should change to say that money and money only will see you through.

Cry the beloved party.