Tagwirei and Zanu-PF Provincial Leaders Sworn Into Senate After Mnangagwa Appointments

Businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a presidential adviser who recently entered active politics, is now a member of Zimbabwe’s expanded Senate. He was sworn in alongside nine other appointees chosen by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The appointments followed the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3, signed into law in July. The amendment increased the Senate from 80 to 90 members and gave the president power to appoint 10 senators based on their “professional skills and other competencies,” after consulting the National Assembly.

The move has drawn scrutiny. Critics question whether the nominees satisfy the constitutional requirement, arguing that the selections were primarily shaped by links to Zanu-PF and rewarded people who supported the constitutional changes.

Several appointees hold senior positions in the ruling party. Jabulani Sibanda chairs Zanu-PF in Bulawayo, Godwills Masimirembwa leads the party in Harare, and Mary Mliswa heads it in Mashonaland West. Retired Major-General Gibson Mashingaidze chairs the War Veterans League in Masvingo province and backed Mnangagwa’s constitutional reforms.

Tagwirei joined Zanu-PF’s powerful Central Committee after entering active politics last year. He campaigned for Amendment Act No. 3 and has since been widely discussed as a possible future successor to Mnangagwa. Makhosini Hlongwane is returning to active politics through the appointment, while Brilliant Dube, formerly part of a movement opposed to the amendment, has since changed her position and is believed to have been rewarded with a Senate seat.