Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, at the weekend, appeared to take another swipe at “zvigananda”, a colloquial term for individuals who parade wealth believed to have been amassed through corruption, opaque dealings, or morally questionable means, often aided by political connections or access to state tenders.
Addressing thousands of young people during an Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Campaign at New Highfield Roman Catholic Church on Sunday, Chiwenga said:
“While young people are perishing by abusing drugs and substances, others are told that, I will give you a car tomorrow free of charge.”
This appeared to be a reference to ZANU PF benefactors who have been handing out cars to perceived party loyalists, with alleged tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo emerging as the most prominent among those making such donations.
The term zvigananda gained renewed attention following Chiwenga’s speech at the burial of Justin Mupamhanga at the National Heroes Acre in January 2025, where he condemned “ubvanzu ubvanzu kudya kwemhumi” — reckless indulgence by the elite.
In his remarks, Chiwenga described Zvigananda as “those who grow big tummies through ill-gotten wealth.”
The description was widely interpreted as a veiled rebuke of figures such as Chivayo and Kudakwashe Tagwirei, although he did not mention any names directly.
Historically, the term was reportedly used during the Second Chimurenga to describe opportunists who enriched themselves while others fought on the frontlines of the liberation struggle.
Chiwenga went on to liken Zvigananda to the modern slang term mbinga, which also refers to individuals who flaunt their wealth, though often with less moral judgment attached.
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