President Emmerson Mnangagwa is now the only ZANU-PF official permitted to hand over car donations, as the ruling party moves to rein in ambitious figures allegedly positioning themselves as his successors.
The gifting of luxury cars has become a popular campaign tool within ZANU-PF, with people and institutions receiving free vehicles almost every week. However, insiders told The Standard that Mnangagwa stepped in last week to curb the divisive practice.
Business figures such as Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Wicknell Chivayo have donated hundreds of cars to the ZANU-PF politburo, central committee, and women’s league, among other party organs, before the practice was stopped following the latest intervention.
The ban was confirmed during ZANU PF politburo, central committee, and national consultative assembly meetings held in Harare from Wednesday to Friday last week.
ZANU PF chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri first proposed the measure at the politburo meeting, arguing that it was necessary to restore a single centre of power within the party.
Muchinguri-Kashiri reportedly told the politburo that there was a concerning trend of individuals using financial influence to secure positions in the party. A politburo member close to her said:
“After Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri’s proposal, the politburo agreed that ZANU PF welcomes high wealth individuals into its membership and structures, more so as the economy shows clear signs of growth and prosperity.
“But from now on, should there be any interest to support the party, it is also most welcome, but such largesse should be channelled through only through the president of the party as one centre of power.
“The politburo affirmed that there is one centre of power in ZANU PF and it is President ED Mnangagwa, after the chairperson vehemently advocated for the one centre of power.
“The party adopted the proposal after noting that vehicle and money donations were now dividing the party.
“The president has an audit of the overall needs of the party at any given time and is the one who can deploy any resources in a fair and worthwhile manner.”
ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa declined to confirm or deny the ban on vehicle donations and would not comment on Mnangagwa’s outburst, saying he would address the matter at a press conference soon.
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