Tinotenda Hove – Amid growing tensions within ZANU PF over the influence of wealthy politically connected individuals, senior party officials used a Youth League meeting in Harare on Wednesday to issue stern warnings against those accused of abusing their proximity to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for personal gain.

A chilling warning from senior ZANU PF officials has sparked concern after the party’s Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs, John Paradza, openly threatened to confiscate political commentator Rutendo Matinyarare’s vehicle, in remarks critics say reflect growing intolerance and abuse of political power within the ruling party.

Speaking at a ZANU PF Youth League Inter-District meeting in Harare on Wednesday, Paradza issued a blunt warning aimed at individuals accused of leveraging their connections to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for protection.

“Mota yaMatinyarare tikaiona tinoitora chete,” Paradza declared, meaning, “If we see Matinyarare’s car, we will simply take it.”

He escalated the threats further, warning, “Tokubvisai chero muchiti muripadhuze naPresident,” meaning, “We will remove you even if you claim to be close to the President.”

The remarks have intensified scrutiny around Matinyarare, who previously admitted to receiving a Toyota Land Cruiser and US$200,000 from businessman and presidential adviser Paul Tungwarara—raising longstanding questions over political patronage and the distribution of wealth among politically connected figures.

Neither Matinyarare nor Tungwarara had responded to Paradza’s threats by the time of publication.