Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a wealthy businessman long tied to Zimbabwes ruling elite, bankrolled President Emmerson Mnangagwas 83rd birthday and Munhumutapa Day commemorations in Zvishavane this week, sources and party officials said. Party insiders estimated Tagwirei poured at least US2 million into the Monday event, which drew thousands of ZANU-PF youths. Social media posts from ZANU-PF youth leader Taurai Kandishaya hailed him as the major sponsor and partner behind the celebrations. Catering alone reportedly consumed over US240,000, split between Chicken Slice and Chicken Inn. Deputy security secretary Tendai Chirau publicly credited Tagwireis logistical support for the success of the festivities. Mnangagwas birthday now doubles as Munhumutapa Day, a holiday honoring Zimbabwes ancestral heritage. Tagwirei, who built his fortune through his energy company Sakunda Holdings and other ventures, has long been viewed as Mnangagwas financial lifeline. He bankrolled the Command Agriculture program after the 2017 military-assisted transition that ousted Robert Mugabe, a program Parliament later accused of draining more than US3 billion. But his influence has attracted international scrutiny. In 2020, the U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Tagwirei for providing support to senior Zimbabwean government officials engaged in public corruption and for leveraging state connections to grow his business empire. The Treasury said Tagwirei utilized his relationships to gain state contracts and access hard currency, citing Sakundas controversial role in Zimbabwes fuel sector. Despite the sanctions, Tagwirei remains deeply embedded in ZANU-PFs machineryfunding campaigns, vehicles, and salaries that underpin Mnangagwas hold on power.
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