Businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei spent $1.8 million at a charity auction in Harare on Thursday to purchase a historic car once owned by Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The vehicle — an Aston 1300 — was the first car driven by Mnangagwa during his time as a law student at the University of Zambia.
After securing the winning bid, Tagwirei immediately donated the car back to the ED–University of Zambia Scholarship Trust, a program that supports Zimbabwean students studying at the institution.
The charity auction featured several pieces of Mnangagwa memorabilia and reportedly raised more than $2.5 million in total.
Tagwirei, who is under sanctions imposed by both the United States and the United Kingdom, has built a vast business empire largely through government contracts. Critics have accused him of benefiting from state tenders awarded without competitive bidding.
Previously, Tagwirei had a fuel-sector partnership with the global commodities firm Trafigura. However, the partnership reportedly ended after sanctions were imposed.
Authorities in Washington have alleged that Tagwirei and other Zimbabwean elites undermined economic progress through corruption. According to those accusations, he used connections with senior government officials to secure lucrative contracts and privileged access to foreign currency, while also supplying luxury goods — including expensive vehicles — to political leaders.
Recently, Tagwirei was elevated to the central committee of the ruling party ZANU–PF, amid growing speculation that he may harbour ambitions to run for president in the future.
Reports also suggest that his allies support proposed constitutional amendments that could change how Zimbabwe selects its president. The proposals include replacing the current popular vote with a system where members of parliament vote as an electoral college.
Another proposed change would remove the automatic succession of the vice president in the event the sitting president dies, resigns, or becomes incapacitated, instead allowing parliament to elect a successor.
Tagwirei has also reportedly spent millions purchasing vehicles for members of ZANU–PF’s central committee, politburo, and members of parliament, a move some political analysts say could be aimed at strengthening his influence within the ruling party and positioning himself as a potential successor to Mnangagwa.
