A TikTok video featuring the 17-year-old daughter of Zimbabwean politician Paul Tungwarara has ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media after she showcased an extravagant shopping spree during a recent trip to South Africa. The teenager revealed that she spent a staggering $8,000 (roughly R130,000) over two days, sparking outrage amid growing concerns over economic hardships in Zimbabwe.
The young woman, whose identity cannot be disclosed as she is a minor, is the daughter of Tungwarara, who serves as an investment advisor to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. In her TikTok video, she invited viewers into her lavish experience, documenting her journey from Zimbabwe to South Africa aboard a private plane and her shopping adventures at the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg.
She claimed that the purpose of her trip was to shop, stating she had “come on vacation without clothes and had to buy some.” With encouragement from her father to document the trip for her vlog, the teen joined her cousins to explore Johannesburg while Tungwarara attended unspecified errands.
As they arrived at the mall late in the afternoon, the teenager excitedly recounted visiting her “favourite store,” Cotton On. “I got a bunch of stuff. I don’t know how much I got,” she laughed, revealing a shopping list that included purchases for her mother from Truworths.
The following day, after persuading her father to extend their stay for more shopping, she returned to the mall. The second spree included clothing, skincare products, and activewear, starting with a visit to Bogart for sleepwear for her father. She bought dresses at Forever New, sneakers at Nike, and remarked that “most of her spending went towards skincare products” at the renowned cosmetics brand, Clarins. “The perfume and skincare store is where we got the most stuff. I got a bunch of skincare stuff that I don’t really know if it’s unnecessary, but I felt it was unnecessary,” she admitted light-heartedly.
Despite her initial claim of spending 18,000 she later corrected herself, clarifying that the total amount spent was
This video quickly spurred outrage on social media, with users pointing out the stark contrast between her lavish lifestyle and the dire economic conditions faced by many Zimbabweans.
Commenters voiced their anger, with one user remarking, “You guys are stuffed in the bus; others place their kids in private jets to go shopping for an hour and back. This is Zimbabwe’s money being used. Please remember the children of Zimbabwe who are suffering. How do you not feel sympathy, Tungwarara?” Another added, “90% of Zim people are dying of hunger while people spend dollars on clothes they might never wear.”
Critics have accused Tungwarara of exploiting the nation's resources for personal gain, further fuelling public outrage. A credible source alleged that he has been “looting the country’s resources,” describing his lifestyle as luxurious despite widespread hardship in Zimbabwe. The source indicated that he frequently travels to Dubai and maintains an impressive mansion in South Africa.
Compounding the controversy, it has been noted that while the teenager has established her own e-hailing company, this venture is reportedly only three months old, casting doubt on the source of her spending. The source further alleged that Tungwarara has obtained government tenders irregularly, claiming that he runs the Prevail International Group of Companies, involved in sectors such as construction, mining, and shipping.
The situation escalated two weeks prior, when Zimbabwean political figure Jealousy Mbizvo Mawarire shared a letter from the country's Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development. The letter, dated 5 January, informed about the suspension of alluvial mining in Zimbabwe while noting that “the only company that has been given the green light” for river rehabilitation was Prevail Group, owned by Tungwarara. Critics suggest this indicates preferential treatment for Tungwarara's ventures amidst a backdrop of policies that hinder other companies, particularly foreign-owned ones.
Award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono also weighed in, revealing that the president has granted Tungwarara diplomatic privileges, including a diplomatic passport. He condemned the government for the dire state of Zimbabwe's healthcare, highlighting a troubling contradiction between the extravagant spending of Tungwarara's family and the suffering of ordinary citizens.
In a poignant Facebook post, Chin’ono pointed out that the teen’s shopping spree occurred in a country where many women die each year due to inadequate healthcare facilities. He referred to a heartbreaking incident involving musician Tatenda Pinjisi, who died after a car accident due to a lack of available pain medication in public hospitals.
Attempts to contact Paul Tungwarara for comment on the criticisms and allegations surrounding his family's spending have thus far been unsuccessful. As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will impact public perception and political discourse concerning wealth and privilege in Zimbabwe.
Follow Us on Twitter
