HARARE – Guests at a football sponsorship unveiling on Tuesday were given a sneak peek into the financial muscle of petroleum tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who dolled out US$500,000 during a five-minute “impromptu” speech.

Tagwirei, cited in multiple investigations as “corrupt” and also under individual United States and British sanctions, should have been the star of the event after his Sakunda Holdings company committed US$5.3 million dollars to the country’s two most supported clubs – Dynamos and Highlanders.

Instead, Tagwirei found a secluded seat away from the VIP section and his name was not on the printed programme.

During his closing remarks, deputy sports minister Tino Machakaire revealed how he had begged Tagwirei to attend the event but the millionaire tycoon insisted that “he was too busy”.

“I told him mukoma, you have to be here, it’s your programme,” Machakaire said as he delivered what had been said to be the last item on the programme – the vote of thanks.

“I want to shock you and say the man is here. This man has a big heart like I have never seen. He will surprise you,” added Machakaire as Tagwirei walked through the small crowd to the stage.

His presence was immediately greeted with a standing ovation led by sports minister Kirsty Coventry and sport and recreation commission chairman Gerald Mlotshwa, who were occupying the VIP section.

Machakaire thanked Tagwirei for turning up before urging him “to do something” to better the lives of Dynamos and Highlanders legends who were in attendance.

We will never know if it was planned, but the guests were soon to come face-to-face with Tagwirei’s influence and control – anchored on a seemingly bottomless reservoir of financial resources.

Sakunda would provide three houses worth US$90,000 each to Dynamos icon Moses Chunga, Highlanders’ legend Madinda Ndlovu, and football commentator Charles Mabika, Tagwirei announced to the collective shock of the three men who were in the audience.

Sakunda would also buy a house for the late Dynamos legend George Shaya’s family worth US$120,000.

He also donated two Ford Everest and two Ford Ranger double-cab vehicles for the two clubs’ coaches and captains – valued in excess of US$200,000 combined. The vehicles were handed over on Wednesday.

Tagwirei’s late flourish was the icing on the cake that all had come for – the record-breaking sponsorship deal for Highlanders and Dynamos which will run for three years.

The two clubs were teetering on the brink collapse after the Covid-19 pandemic robbed them of their major source of funding – gate takings.

Labelled “notoriously corrupt” by the United States treasury and using his proximity to political power to with government contracts, Tagwirei’s sponsorship of the two clubs is not without controversy as anti-corruption advocates equate it to receiving proceeds of crime.

An online poll conducted by ZimLive showed 62 percent of respondents are in favour of the two clubs taking Sakunda’s money. Like a travelled thief who returns to the village to share his loot, it appears many football fans are happy to overlook Tagwirei’s corporate pariah status if his tainted money will make their clubs competitive again.