By Fanuel Chinowaita
Nyanga, 18 January 2026 — Fresh claims of factionalism within Zanu PF have emerged following remarks by Presidential investment adviser Dr Paul Tungwarara, whose speech in Nyanga yesterday openly warned against individuals allegedly harbouring presidential ambitions.
Addressing an empowerment gathering at Nyajezi Primary School yesterday , Tungwarara insisted that there was “no vacancy” for the presidency and said those offended by his previous comments had exposed their own ambitions.
“What I said last week offended those with presidential ambitions. When I talked, I did not speak anyone’s name but only mine,” Tungwarara said.
“People who are discussing and offended by what I said clearly shows that they have presidential ambitions. My message remains the same — there is no vacancy for President.”
He further warned against any attempts to undermine President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda.
“There is going to be a big fight when you want to fight Vision 2030. If fighting will help Vision 2030, let’s fight,” he said.
Tungwarara also accused some individuals of falsely claiming links to senior government officials, including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
“I dealt with Geza. He was lying that he is working with Vice President Chiwenga. I asked the Vice President and he confirmed to me that he is not associated with Geza,” he said, adding that such claims were meant to mislead party supporters.
He further claimed that “99 percent of people who claim to have been sent from the President are liars” and dismissed reports of WhatsApp groups allegedly involving senior leaders, saying they were created by people seeking to destabilise Zanu PF.
“There is nothing like that. I confirmed with the President and he said there is no such group,” Tungwarara said.
The tone and content of Tungwarara’s speech have reinforced growing perceptions of factional tensions within the ruling party, particularly around succession issues that Zanu PF leadership has consistently denied exist.
Speaking separately to The Wasu Post, some Zanu PF officials acknowledged that factionalism was present within the party but declined to elaborate further.
“There is factionalism, but I cannot comment more on it,” said one senior party official, who requested anonymity.
Another official echoed similar sentiments, saying internal divisions were a reality but sensitive to discuss publicly.
Tungwarara also announced a raft of empowerment initiatives during the event, including the disbursement of US$25 000 each to Nyanga North and Nyanga South Members of Parliament, US$50 000 allocations to war veterans, widows of war veterans, non-combatants, and war collaborators in Manicaland.
Ten chiefs who attended received US$2 000 each, while 40 Starlink internet kits were donated to 40 schools in Nyanga South.
While the empowerment programme was welcomed by beneficiaries, political analysts say Tungwarara’s pointed remarks have once again brought to the fore unresolved internal tensions within Zanu PF, despite repeated public assertions by party leaders that the party remains united.