Political activist and commentator Rutendo Matinyarare has publicly warned businessman and ZANU-PF Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei against what he describes as political overreach, alleging that the people he is funding to fight his opponents could expose him to serious danger.

In a social media message addressed to Tagwirei, Matinyarare urged him to slow down, claiming that his pursuit of political influence was putting him at odds with powerful figures within the ruling establishment.

“I have always shot straight with you and told you things not many are brave enough to tell you, and here I want to tell you to slow down!” Matinyarare wrote.

He alleged that Tagwirei’s wealth had made him feel untouchable and warned that the political alliances he was building could have dangerous consequences.

“The people you are funding to fight the team you are fighting will end you up in black plastic. Stop what you are doing, because they know everything you are planning,” he said.

Matinyarare did not provide evidence in the post to substantiate his allegations about Tagwirei’s political funding, identify those allegedly involved or verify the threat he described. His remarks should therefore be treated as allegations rather than established facts.

He further claimed that Tagwirei was targeting influential figures within the political establishment and warned that the businessman was becoming a liability to his political principal.

“The unfortunate thing with you is that you have become more of a liability to your principal than Wicknell was. More critically, you are openly targeting the custodians. That doesn’t end well,” Matinyarare wrote.

The warning comes amid heightened public discussion of Tagwirei’s political position following his appointment as Minister of Economic Development and Investment Promotion. The appointment has drawn renewed attention to the relationship between business wealth, political influence and access to senior decision-makers.

Matinyarare also drew comparisons with businessman Wicknell Chivayo, whose public claims about his proximity to President Emmerson Mnangagwa attracted political controversy in 2024.

“You heard me warning Wicknell and he thought he knew more than me, but look where he ended up — yet I am still here!” Matinyarare said.

The reference echoes a warning issued by Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana in June 2024, after audio recordings attributed to Chivayo circulated publicly and sparked debate over his alleged influence. Chivayo disputed the authenticity of the recordings at the time.

Mangwana invoked the Greek myth of Icarus, whose wings melted after he flew too close to the sun. In a post published on June 11, 2024, Mangwana wrote:

“Icarus was warned by his father not to fly too close to the sun, as the wax that his wings were made from would melt. But fuelled by the adrenaline rush of flying, Icarus failed to rein in his excitement and felt he was the man of the moment. He did not heed the warnings. Icarus was so intoxicated by the experience of flying that he never thought he could tumble from this lofty height...... He tumbled into the sea and drowned.”

Mangwana did not name Chivayo in the post, although contemporary media reports interpreted it as a warning directed at the businessman following the controversy surrounding the recordings.

Matinyarare’s latest message similarly presents political influence as a potential risk when an individual is perceived to be challenging powerful interests. However, neither his allegations about Tagwirei’s activities nor his comparison with Chivayo establishes that Tagwirei faces a specific threat.