BLESSING ROPAFADZO MAKUMIRE, CONSTANTINO CHIWENGA, EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, KUDA TAGWIREI, MTHULI NCUBE, ZIMBABWE

Reform or Patronage? Makumire Questions Mnangagwa Over Tagwirei’s Ministerial Appointment

“New ministries can mean more administrative expenditure, duplicated functions and increased bureaucracy. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe urgently needs better hospitals, roads, water and jobs,” he said.

By Nyasha N. Mukapiko, Europe · 9 Oct 2026

Opposition MP for Chiredzi Central Ropafadzo Makumire has questioned the rationale behind the ministerial restructuring, raising concerns about potential taxpayer costs after the appointment of businessman and Mnangagwa ally Kudakwashe Tagwirei to a new ministerial portfolio.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday separated the finance portfolio from economic development and investment promotion, reassigning Professor Mthuli Ncube as finance minister and appointing Tagwirei to head the newly separated ministry.

The appointment was made in terms of Section 104(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which states that the President appoints ministers and assigns functions to them, including the administration of any Act of Parliament or of any Ministry or department, but the President may reserve to himself or herself the administration of an Act, Ministry or department.

Posting on Facebook, Makumire questioned whether the changes would improve government efficiency or create additional bureaucracy and expenditure.

“New ministries can mean more administrative expenditure, duplicated functions and increased bureaucracy. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe urgently needs better hospitals, roads, water and jobs,” he said.

Makumire also pointed to the earlier separation of the Lands portfolio, asking what specific problems the latest restructuring was intended to solve and whether the expected benefits justified the cost.

While cautioning that the appointments alone did not prove political patronage, the legislator called on the government to demonstrate transparency, accountability and measurable public benefits from the changes.

The move marks Tagwirei’s formal entry into government after years as one of Zimbabwe’s most influential business figures.

Tagwirei, founder and chief executive of Sakunda Holdings, has long been associated with major projects in agriculture, energy and mining.

The appointment has drawn significant criticism from both civil society and political observers, with others linking the promotion to factional fights within Zanu-PF and as a political middle finger to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who once denounced Tagwirei as “Chigananda” alongside the late controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo.