Tungwarara is accused of operating within a network of state capture involving inflated contracts, fraud, land seizures, and abuse of government programmes.
Is Tungwarara Untouchable?
By Zvakwana Nomore Sweto,
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s investment adviser to the United Arab Emirates seems to be untouchable with the way he has been running his affairs in Zimbabwe and in ZANU PF.
Tungwarara is accused of operating within a network of state capture involving inflated contracts, fraud, land seizures, and abuse of government programmes.
Last year 2025, he was reported to police after swindling an Indian investor out of US$2.3 million after selling him a property he did not own, and offering to facilitate work permits for 450 people.
The investor, Razaa Jishan, 30, had planned to set up a gaming business in Harare and was looking for land to build his company offices and in doing so, was introduced to Tungwarara.
According to Jishan’s police complaint under case number AFU DR 01/07/23, Tungwarara introduced himself as a director of Prevail International. He produced a board resolution to the effect that he was authorized to sell stand number 3, Tyward Close, Ballantyne Park in Highlands, Harare.
Just like any other criminal affiliated to the president of Zimbabwe, and ZANU PF, Tungwarara’s case was swept under the carpet.
Here are a few FACTS about Tungwarara:
- In June 2022, he was appointed Presidential Advisor Investment Affairs (UAE to Zimbabwe)
- In July 2022, Dubai-based billionaire Shaji Ul Mulk arrived in Zimbabwe. Alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Tungwarara presided over a ceremonial launch for the ambitious “Mulk International’s Zimbabwe Cyber City” project in Mazowe. Promoted as a multi-billion-dollar technology and luxury real estate hub, it was heralded as a landmark of the country’s “engagement and re-engagement” policy and a catalyst for a digital economy. Today, however, no structures rise from the earth. No foundational work is visible. The project, which promised thousands of jobs and a surge of modern infrastructure, exists only in archived news reports and promotional renderings.
- He owns a failed project of a social media application called ‘Talk and Pay’ which is a copy-paste of the popular WhatsApp.
- He sponsors churches, weddings, and functions for Zimbabweans based in the UAE.
- His Prevail International Group was awarded the Presidential Borehole Scheme and Presidential Hospital Rehabilitation Program contracts, among others, but is accused by MPs of failing to deliver functioning boreholes despite receiving millions in public funds.
- Tungwarara claims that he is “defending the President” and boasts that he is ready to die for him.
- Tungwarara has been moving across several provinces disbursing the funds, while preaching loyalty to the President.
- Like any other beneficiary of the ruling party, Tungwarara on his rallies, moves by the most annoying chants among progressive youth in Zimbabwe, that President Mnangagwa is “ordained by God” to rule Zimbabwe until 2030
- Since last year, he promised to build houses for all War Veterans in Zimbabwe and to empower all ZANU PF Structures and Affiliates.
- He owns a farm in Chegutu which he forcefully invaded and took ownership from the late national hero’s family Dr. Nathan Shamuyarira.
- He owns Prevail Mining, Prevail Shipping, Paulo Construction, and Prevail Boreholes
- All his contracts don’t go through the tender process. They are approved forthwith.
- Tungwarara bought himself an Aircraft and Private Jet last year.
- He owns multiple mansions, villas, and buildings in Zimbabwe and Dubai.
- His Paulos Construction presented a bill of US$15 million for the State House precast wall.
- In 2017 Paulos Construction was part of a shady deal for bitumen tar at Harare City Council.
- He recently threatened to expose people in Zanu PF that were eyeing the presidential position as the battle to succeed the 83-year-old Mnangagwa takes a sinister turn.
- Tungwarara publicly attacked Kudakwashe Tagwirei for allegedly being power hungry yet unfit to be president.
- December 2025, he announced a USD 20,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of a Sheila Calaguio Alfonso from the Philippines, a woman he accuses of disappearing with his USD 1 million.
It must be noted that Tungwarara’s power does not derive from Parliament, Cabinet or the constitution. It derives from direct access to President Emmerson Mnangagwa as his investment advisor. The title Special Presidential Investment Adviser for United Arab Emirates carries prestige but little or no public clarity. There has been no published terms of reference, no parliamentary oversight mechanism, and no public accounting of outcomes attributable to this role.
