Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
IN a passionate declaration, Presidential Special Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara has dismissed speculation about his presidential ambitions, affirming his unwavering loyalty to President Mnangagwa.
Speaking at the launch of the Presidential Constituency Empowerment Fund in Zimunya-Marange, Dr Tungwarara emphatically stated that he would reject the presidency even if offered by Mnangagwa himself.
The event saw the allocation of US$25,000 to each of the three constituencies – Mutare North, Mutare South, and Mutare West – for grassroots empowerment projects.
“President Mnangagwa was born to rule, and was put in that position by God himself. Even if one day he were to surrender that position, I would reject it outright, and tell him to go elsewhere. He is the best leader for this nation. My wealth as Tungwarara does not qualify me to rule this country. The same applies to those who have made money through the party; that should not lead you to think you can remove him and easily replace him. It is impossible – he is loved by God, and only God will remove him in due time,” declared Dr Tungwarara, amidst cheers from party functionaries.
He recounted the events of 2017, which saw Mnangagwa assume power, attributing his success to divine intervention.
Zanu PF National Spokesman, Cde Chris Mutsvangwa has thrown his full weight behind the recent resolution to recommend Dr Tungwarara for co-option into the Central Committee, following a nomination by the Chipinge District Coordinating Committee (DCC), which put forward his name as the preferred candidate to succeed Cde Dorothy Mabika.
Cde Mabika, who hails from Chipinge, stepped down from the main wing post earlier last year and was subsequently elected provincial Women’s League chairlady.
The recommendation superseded one that had been previously made, following concerns by the National Commissariat Department over procedural issues that were allegedly overlooked.
“I am the spokesperson of the party, as well as the spokesman of the President of the party.
I want your heart, as the people of Manicaland, to remain calm. You held a PCC meeting to recommend a Central Committee member from Manicaland, and after that process, the chairman wrote a letter to the party leadership. The recommendation from Manicaland is already on the agenda of the Zanu PF Politburo,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.
He added: “We really appreciate and value what you have recommended. There was a period when concerns were raised over the move, but as the party spokesperson, I approached the party leader together with the Secretary General, telling him that there were some who were grumbling over this dynamic young man. I said to the President, do not put me in between a hard rock and a hard surface, having previously commented on a similar central committee recommendation in Harare, and now Manicaland has done the same, so I cannot speak against Manicaland having done the same with Harare.
“The President cautioned me that I only speak resolutions from the Politburo – that matter shall be presented before the Politburo as per procedure. We will discuss it in the Politburo in the same manner we discussed the other case. What comes from the Politburo is what matters most – the rest is hot air. I have worked with Dr Tungwarara for a long time, I know him as a businessman of rare acumen, but what he is doing exceptionally well is that in everything he does, he is raising the President’s flag so high. As a party leader who is there to promote my boss, the President, I stand by anyone who promotes the President.”
