Tungwarara offers Varakashi US$10,000 each after Matinyarare reconciliation

Tungwarara offers Varakashi US$10,000 each after Matinyarare reconciliation

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Presidential Investment Adviser Paul Tungwarara says he will pay US$10,000 each to a group of online ZANU PF activists, popularly known as Varakashi, following complaints that loyal supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa were being overlooked.

The pledge comes after Tungwarara and social media commentator Rutendo Matinyarare held a weekend reconciliation, ending a period in which Matinyarare had publicly criticised Mnangagwa and the First Family.

That reconciliation attracted criticism from some Varakashi after Tungwarara gave Matinyarare a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series and US$200,000. Some activists argued that a vocal critic appeared to be benefiting while those who defended the President online received little recognition.

In response, Tungwarara said the activists would each receive US$10,000 and that his microfinance institution would offer them low-interest loans to help them start or expand small businesses.

“I wish to reward these Comrades who fought by all means to protect the President, by providing them with a token of appreciation of USD$10k per person,” Tungwarara wrote on social media.

“During the period when Matinyarare was attacking the President, these individuals did everything within their power to defend him and the First Family.

“Furthermore, I will instruct my microfinance institution to offer them low-cost loans to help kickstart their small businesses.”

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Among those named by Tungwarara as beneficiaries are Kudzai Mutisi, Snowball Tongogara, Jones Musara and Cleopas Mukungunugwa.

The development has continued to draw attention on Zimbabwe social media, where debate has focused on political patronage, the role of online party activists and the use of cash incentives in political messaging.

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