A 2020 social media post by former Cabinet Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo comparing businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei to South Africa’s controversial Gupta family has resurfaced following Tagwirei’s appointment as Minister of Economic Development and Investment Promotion.

In the post, published on X on August 20, 2020, Moyo accused Tagwirei of state capture and the exploitation of public resources for the benefit of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“KUDA TAGWIREI IS LIKE THE GUPTAS,” Moyo wrote, arguing that Tagwirei’s alleged influence mirrored the state-capture scandal associated with the Gupta family under former South African president Jacob Zuma.

Moyo also claimed that Zimbabwe’s opposition, civil society and media were afraid to challenge Tagwirei.

“The key difference is that the opposition, civil society & media in Zim fear Tagwirei!” he wrote.

The post has regained attention following Tagwirei’s elevation to Cabinet, renewing debate over the relationship between business interests, political power and public resources in Zimbabwe.

Tagwirei was appointed minister of economic development and investment promotion as part of a restructuring excise that saw the former Ministry of Finance divided into two separate ministries, with Professor Mthuli Ncube reassigned to lead the Finance Ministry.

The Gupta family became central to South Africa’s state-capture scandal after allegations surfaced that its close ties to Zuma were used to influence government decisions and public contracts for personal gain.

Tagwirei, a businessman with interests in sectors including energy and mining, has faced scrutiny over his business dealings and relationship with the state.

The United States and the United Kingdom have previously imposed sanctions on him, with US authorities alleging corruption linked to state contracts and preferential access to foreign currency.

Moyo, who previously served as Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, 2020, X post adds to criticism of Tagwirei’s elevation to Cabinet, with questions being raised about potential conflicts of interest, accountability and the role of powerful business figures in government.

Former finance minister Tendai Biti, during the inclusive government, also shared the same sentiments, referring to Tagwirei’s appointment as state capture and the guptarisation of the state.