By Farai D Hove | ZimEye | Within a week of President Mnangagwa’s unexpected demotion of the Zimbabwe Army commander, the ruling party has abruptly pivoted—fast-tracking the political rise of controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei in what appears to be a clear acceleration of his path to the presidency. In his last nation address, the war veteran hailed by the ruling ZANU PF party for his military prowess and accurate intelligence,  Blessed Geza, announced that Mnangagwa will soon  be replaced by Kuda Tagwirei. The state media has revealed on the day of Geza’s M31 demonstration that Zanu PF Harare Province has resolved to recommend Tagwirei’s co-option into the party’s powerful Central Committee—one of the most significant steps yet in embedding him within the party’s top decision-making structures. VIDEO LOADING BELOW Announcing the decision at a Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting, Zanu PF Harare chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa said the proposal to elevate Tagwirei was unanimously endorsed and would be submitted to the party’s Secretary-General, Dr Obert Mpofu. Masimirembwa described Tagwirei—a key Mnangagwa ally and financier—as a “visionary business leader” and “an asset to Harare Province,” while the party’s Harare Youth chair Emmanuel Mahachi praised him for mobilising resources and always being “available in times of need.” The timing of this move, coming just days after the sidelining of General Valerio Sibanda, points to a dramatic internal shift—suggesting Mnangagwa may now be clearing the path for Tagwirei’s political ascendancy and tightening his inner circle ahead of an uncertain succession battle.