In a move signalling heightened tensions and anticipation of potential unrest, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has indefinitely cancelled all leave and off days for its members and recalled those currently on vacation. This drastic measure comes in response to calls for mass protests on March 31st, spearheaded by expelled Zanu-PF central committee member, Blessed Geza, also known as “Bombshell.”
The directive, confirmed by sources within the ZRP, mandates that all police officers suspend applications for leave and return to duty immediately, ensuring adequate manpower to bolster security measures and maintain law and order across the country.
The planned protests, led by Geza, a staunch disciple of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, follow a previously foiled demonstration by various civil groupings, backed by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, which was scheduled for last Thursday. These protests aim to pressure President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to address the country’s persistent economic hardships, widespread corruption, and lack of accountability.
War veterans had formally notified the police of their intention to stage a peaceful demonstration, citing the dire economic situation, government corruption, and a general lack of transparency and accountability.
The decision to cancel leave and recall officers underscores the gravity of the situation, with police officers expressing concerns about potential instability in the lead-up to March 31st.
“I was recalled from leave yesterday and told to report for duty immediately,” said a junior officer based in Harare, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We have been instructed to be on high alert and to prepare for any eventuality.”
Another police officer echoed these sentiments, stating, “Our superiors have made it clear that maintaining law and order is our top priority, and we must do everything necessary to prevent any unrest or violence. We are expecting a potentially unstable situation, ahead of March 31 and we need all hands on deck to ensure public safety.”
National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi declined to comment on the matter, citing travel commitments.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF deputy youth secretary John Paradza has pledged his constituency’s readiness to thwart any protests targeted at President Mnangagwa. During the launch of a presidential youth fund last week, Paradza assured Mnangagwa that no protest would take place under his watch.
The calls for Mnangagwa’s resignation have been fuelled by a push from his loyalists to extend his rule beyond 2028 when his second and final term comes to an end.
Information, Broadcasting and Publicity Minister Jenfan Muswere has vehemently criticised war veteran Blessed Geza for what he described as “alleged grandstanding,” vowing to quash the planned protests.
Geza, a previously little-known Zanu-PF politician, gained prominence after launching a fierce campaign against President Mnangagwa’s alleged bid to extend his term of office beyond 2028. After disappearing for nearly a month, Geza resurfaced on social media this week, urging citizens to take to the streets on March 31st to demand Mnangagwa’s exit.
In a half-hour-long “State of the Nation Address” posted on YouTube and X (Twitter), Geza, clad in military gear, described the planned demonstration as “not even a protest but an uprising.” He argued that Zimbabweans should feel aggrieved by Mnangagwa’s corrupt leadership and should heed his call for demonstrations.
However, Minister Muswere dismissed Geza’s calls as divisive and urged citizens to ignore his “rumblings.”
“Law enforcement agents are on high alert, ready to deal with anyone attempting to cause despondency within the country’s borders, and no iota of imagination will create disunity within the leadership, both in government and in the ruling party Zanu PF,” Muswere stated.
He further accused Geza of being a “fugitive from justice” and falsely claiming to speak on behalf of veterans of the liberation struggle. “Zimbabweans are encouraged to ignore Geza’s delusional ramblings. His polemic and reactionary grandstanding are a clear misdirection of ambition,” Muswere added.
Geza is believed to be in exile in South Africa.
As factional tensions continue to simmer within Zanu-PF, the party’s youth wing has pledged its unwavering support for President Mnangagwa, vowing to counteract any attempts to undermine his leadership. This move comes against a backdrop of an ongoing power struggle with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and growing public discontent over the country’s worsening economic situation.
The declaration of support was made at the launch of Mnangagwa’s Youth Fund in Harare, where Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs John Paradza asserted that the party’s youth would do everything in their power to prevent the planned demonstrations.
“There are things being said on social media that there will be demonstrations. What I can assure you is that as long as I still deputise Machakaire in this wing there will not be any demonstration,” Paradza declared to a cheering crowd at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC). “We do not lose sleep over utterances on social media, we want you to be at peace. Our duty as the youth league is to defend the President and the party.”
The planned protests, spearheaded by war veterans led by Blessed Geza, are slated for March 31st. Geza, whose current location is unknown, has been a vocal critic of Mnangagwa, accusing him and his allies of corruption and economic mismanagement. He has also been advocating for Chiwenga as the rightful leader to address Zimbabwe’s current challenges.
In response to Geza’s criticism, Minister Muswere dismissed him as “delusional,” and Zanu-PF has moved swiftly to expel him from the party.
The current situation echoes a similar scenario in 2017 when Zanu-PF youths publicly backed then-President Robert Mugabe in factional battles, only to later apologise after his ouster. The chants of “2030 ndeya ED” (2030 belongs to ED) by thousands of youths at the launch, in support of calls for Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030, have drawn parallels to the events leading up to the 2017 coup.
The infighting within Zanu-PF has intensified as the party approaches its elective congress in 2027, pitting Mnangagwa and Chiwenga against each other. Despite playing a key role in Mnangagwa’s rise to power, Chiwenga appears to have been sidelined.
The internal conflicts have spilled out into the open, with party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa even recorded criticising Chiwenga, describing him as unelectable, cruel, and unlearned.
After going into hiding for about a month, Blessed Geza resurfaced this week, calling for unity during the planned protests on March 31st.
In a video posted to social media, Geza declared that he was not worried about the charges he was facing. Instead, he called on President Mnangagwa to step down for failing to address the country’s economic woes and for promoting corruption and nepotism.
“Zimbabwean family, it’s yours truly Blessed Geza, Bombshell. I am alive,” Geza said, adding that he was safe and healthy.
Addressing rumours about his whereabouts, Geza stated, “[President] Mnangagwa knows where I am. He is just a coward to approach me, but he knows exactly where I am. I am in the middle of people, being protected by people because I stand for people’s wishes.”
While Geza did not disclose his location, his attire, which included military fatigues, reignited speculation that he was in a military barracks. However, reports suggest that he was assisted by members of the security cluster to cross the border into South Africa.
Geza’s recent statements against Mnangagwa have placed him in the political spotlight, leading to his expulsion from Zanu-PF for alleged gross indiscipline and treasonous conduct.
Promise Mkwananzi, the spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Change, cautiously welcomed Geza’s contribution to the “struggle,” stating, “Whilst his contribution is welcome, it must be remembered that this has been an ongoing struggle and Geza and company are only joining the struggle that has always been there, in which we say: Mr. Mnangagwa was, is always illegitimate.”
Geza has also expressed his preference for Constantino Chiwenga to succeed Mnangagwa, citing Chiwenga’s role in the 2017 coup that led to Robert Mugabe’s resignation.
While the opposition joined hands with the ruling Zanu-PF to protest against Mugabe at the time, Harare-based political analyst Elton Ziki believes that the current situation has not yet reached those levels.
“It’s too early to put together the dynamics for a possible scenario of 2017,” Ziki told DW. “We have no ingredient or entitlement that speaks to that. As a result, lack of an existing opposition. We have no leader. After protesting and then what? Who is leading the protest? What is the direction that Zimbabwe will then take?”
