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“We Do Not Reward Enemies”: ZANU-PF Youths Fume Over Tungwarara’s Gifts to Government Critic

Talkmore Fanuel Mapfumo
ZANU-PF youth leaders John Paradza and Tinoda Machakaire have intensified criticism of individuals accused of overstepping party structures, stressing loyalty, discipline, and respect for established leadership channels. Option 4 (Short Newspaper Caption) John Paradza (left) and Tinoda Machakaire address ZANU-PF youths during a party gathering, emphasizing loyalty, party discipline, and the protection of established structures. Option 5 (Social Media/Post Caption) "The youths are the vanguard of the party." — Tinoda Machakaire and John Paradza urge ZANU-PF youths to defend party structures, loyalty, and discipline. Recommended Caption ZANU-PF youth leaders John Paradza (left) and Tinoda Machakaire address party members during a youth gathering, emphasizing loyalty, discipline, and the need to respect established party structures amid growing internal debate over influence and authority within the ruling party.

ZANU-PF youth leaders John Paradza and Tinoda Machakaire have intensified criticism of individuals accused of overstepping party structures, stressing loyalty, discipline, and respect for established leadership channels.

ZANU-PF’s youth leadership has launched a blistering attack on Presidential Adviser Paul Tungwarara, accusing him of rewarding government critics and encroaching on responsibilities reserved for party structures.

Addressing party youths, ZANU-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Tinoda Machakaire warned individuals against taking advantage of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s open-door policy and mistaking access to the Head of State for authority to act on behalf of the ruling party.

Machakaire said some people were interpreting photographs with the President as a mandate to undertake activities outside their designated roles, stressing that every official has a responsibility to perform within established party and government structures.

Without directly naming Tungwarara, Machakaire appeared to question the Presidential Adviser’s growing involvement in nationwide empowerment programmes and rallies, saying party members should not take over responsibilities assigned to others.

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He further warned youths against allowing newcomers with financial resources to use their wealth to gain influence within ZANU-PF.

“The youths are the vanguard of the party,” Machakaire said, urging members to safeguard the party from individuals seeking to leverage money for political relevance.

Speaking at the same gathering, ZANU-PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs John Paradza directly attacked Tungwarara’s reported decision to gift political commentator Rutendo Matinyarare a vehicle and US$200,000.

“Hati award mhandu. Tino awarder vanhu vanoshandira musangano siku nesikati,” Paradza declared, insisting that the ruling party rewards loyal cadres, not those who criticize the President and Government.

Paradza also demanded that Matinyarare report to the police over remarks allegedly made against President Mnangagwa and warned that the vehicle could be confiscated.

“Mota yaMatinyarare tikaiona tinoitora chete,” he said.

The remarks signal growing frustration within sections of ZANU-PF’s youth leadership over Tungwarara’s rising political profile, with critics accusing him of overstepping his advisory role and interfering in areas traditionally managed by party structures. The controversy has opened a fresh debate within the ruling party over loyalty, influence and the limits of individual political power.

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