Tungwarara's Web: Inside the Alleged Criminal Netw...

Tungwarara's Web: Inside the Alleged Criminal Network Plundering Zim

Zim Now Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's investment adviser to the United Arab Emirates, Paul Tungwarara, is facing serious allegations of operating a criminal network involved in multimillion-dollar fraud, exploitation of state resources, and political manipulation.

The accusations outline a pattern of illicit activities allegedly enabled by political patronage, raising alarm about their impact on Zimbabwe's governance and economy.

The claims cover a wide range of alleged offenses, including defrauding businessmen and a Dubai billionaire, seizing private land through coercion, and exploiting war veterans through substandard housing projects and cash handouts.

Tungwarara, who has benefited from inflated government tenders such as the Presidential Borehole Scheme (PBS), is accused of profiting from bloated contracts and using his political connections to evade accountability.

Among the specific allegations is a case involving Indian businessman Razas Jishan, who was allegedly defrauded of US$2.3 million in a property scam involving forged documents and intimidation tactics.

Zimbabwean businessman Jospher Chibisa reportedly lost US$350,000 in a loan fraud scheme. His police docket allegedly disappeared shortly after the case was reported.

Dubai billionaire Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk is said to have lost “hundreds of thousands” through embezzlement linked to the Zim Cyber City project.

The family of national hero Nathan Shamuyarira reportedly suffered the illegal seizure of their 1,200-hectare Mt Carmel Farm, allegedly orchestrated through Tungwarara’s network.

The investigation also highlights alleged large-scale exploitation of state resources.

Under the PBS, Tungwarara’s company, Prevail International, is accused of charging US$15,000 per borehole—triple the market rate. Funds were reportedly misallocated, with substantial upfront payments made before project completion.

Inflated contracts further include a US$15 million invoice for a State House perimeter wall, which was reportedly rejected, and a contract for 50,000 serviced housing stands, despite official estimates indicating that only around 30,000 war veterans are still alive.

Tungwarara’s wealth is said to be rooted in a vast real estate portfolio spanning Zimbabwe, Dubai, and South Africa. These assets were allegedly acquired through fraudulent loans, inflated state contracts, and threats or coercion.

Classified reports indicate that high-level political connections have afforded Tungwarara judicial impunity. Several police investigations into fraud cases have allegedly been stalled or dismissed.

He has also publicly supported President Mnangagwa’s alleged push for an unconstitutional third term by 2030, reportedly distributing cash and housing to war veterans to secure political loyalty. His relationship with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is described as “fractured.”

Findings compiled by the Information for Development Trust (IDT) suggest a systemic pattern of state capture, in which political elites enable the looting of public resources.

The IDT analysis concludes that overpriced contracts drain millions annually from public coffers, exacerbating inflation and undermining essential public service delivery. The use of international real estate, especially in Dubai, is viewed as a method of laundering illicit wealth and shielding assets from scrutiny.

The report also examines the ballooning of Zimbabwe’s official war veterans registry, which grew from approximately 34,000 in 1997 to over 120,000 by 2023. This growth is attributed to a government policy shift that broadened the definition of a “war veteran,” raising concerns about a lack of transparency in the vetting process and potential political manipulation.

The 50,000 Presidential Housing Stands for War Veterans Programme, spearheaded by Tungwarara’s Prevail Group, is described as a “state-funded loyalty programme,” strategically timed to align with the president’s term extension agenda. According to the IDT, genuine war veterans—many of whom are elderly and living in poverty—are unlikely to benefit. Instead, Tungwarara and his allies allegedly profit through opaque, non-competitive procurement deals.

In light of these serious allegations, the IDT recommends immediate asset freezes on Tungwarara’s properties in Zimbabwe, Dubai, and South Africa, through international cooperation.

The organisation also calls for judicial reforms to revive fraud investigations under independent oversight and urges the recovery of Mt Carmel Farm for the Shamuyarira family.