Schism in Zimbabwe’s Adventist Community: Tagwirei and Geza—What’s Going On?
By Tarisai Peter Ziyambi
On March 31st, social media was abuzz with a speech by Cde Geza, an 81-year-old liberation war veteran, declaring his mission to remove President Emmerson Mnangagwa from power. In his address, Geza, who identifies as a Seventh-day Adventist, expressed deep concern over the growing influence of business mogul Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who has recently been elected to ZANU-PF’s Central Committee—paving his way into the national political arena.
Allegations have surfaced that Tagwirei has been “buying” pastors and SDA church leadership to consolidate his influence—claims that I cannot personally verify.
Why Write This?
Interestingly, Zimbabwean politics has never been my cup of tea. It often seems too aggressive, with politicians becoming demigods, feeding a culture of strife that has spilled blood in the streets. We saw this in 2017 and more recently in the Sakupwanya election rerun.
That said, let’s examine this issue objectively.
A Family Legacy of Political Caution
My late father, Cde Tarisai Frank Ziyambi, warned us—his descendants—to shun politics like a plague. He paid the ultimate price for his political convictions, dying under suspicious circumstances due to his opposition to the Gukurahundi atrocities.
So, to be clear, this article is not an endorsement of any faction—be it the Ganandas or the Dzakudzaku. I’m simply stating the facts.
What’s the Cause of Division Among SDA Members?
At its core, this schism within the SDA community seems to stem from a departure from the fundamental law of love, which we, as Adventists, claim to uphold.
We are taught:
“Love to God is the essential element in the experience of the sons and daughters of God. Love asks not glory. Charity seeketh not her own. Charity is kind. Love to God and our fellow men thinks of doing works of kindness and finds its joy in doing good, in blessing others…” — 12LtMs, Ms 177, 1897, par. 46
Didn’t Christ say that we ought to love one another so that the world may know Him? Instead of genuine brotherhood, we’ve reduced our faith to empty formalities—“Happy Sabbath, Happy Sabbath”—while neglecting those in real need. Rather than being an answer to someone’s prayer, we simply promise to pray for them.
Perhaps Tagwirei is being resented by jealous brethren. Aye dinna ken!
So, What’s the Real Conflict?
Geza, a veteran in the twilight of his life, sees those at the dawn of their political careers benefiting from the spoils of the liberation struggle—spoils that, in his view, should not go to figures like Sir Wicknell, Sakupwanya, or the Gold Mafia cabal. His concerns make sense, but let’s not underestimate the weight of war regalia. It has triggered national agitation before and even silenced some of the loudest voices of the Vision 2030 campaign.
Cooler heads must prevail—for the sake of peace, unity, and freedom.
As for my fellow Adventists, I say: Stop it right now. It is not our place to set up kings or to remove them.
The Call to Love and Higher Purpose
“If we love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves, we shall glorify God. The love of God is wanting. True love to God cannot exist without true love to our neighbor…” — 15LtMs, Ms 43, 1900, par. 23
Bringing love for God into our daily lives is the only way to show genuine love for others. When Christ is truly enthroned in our hearts, it is reflected in our actions—through unselfish kindness, deep concern for others, and an unwavering commitment to doing good.
“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God.”
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
“The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things, have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.” — ST March 11, 1897, par. 14–15
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