War Veterans Vow to Proceed with Mass Protests Against President Mnangagwa

Zimbabwe’s political landscape is on edge as a faction of war veterans vows to push forward with mass protests to oust President Emmerson Mnangagwa, despite a mounting crackdown.

The group, led by Blessed Geza, has gone into hiding after police declared Geza a wanted man on charges of undermining the president’s authority and inciting public violence.

Geza’s faction claims to have the backing of a “quiet majority” within the ruling Zanu PF party, who oppose Mnangagwa’s alleged economic mismanagement and attempts to build a dynasty.

The group’s spokesman, Knox Chivero, released a video statement from an undisclosed location, claiming that Mnangagwa had dispatched death squads to hunt them down.

“Let me assure you that the liberating signal from Cde Geza is coming, very soon,” Chivero said, emphasizing the need for meticulous planning to ensure a peaceful transition.

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The faction’s plans have been met with a heavy-handed response from authorities. Police arrested journalist Blessed Mhlanga last week on charges of inciting public violence for publishing Geza’s videos.

Mhlanga was denied bail, sparking concerns about the government’s commitment to press freedom.

The crackdown has also raised tensions within Zanu PF, with supporters of Mnangagwa’s deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, opposing the president’s bid to scrap term limits and extend his rule beyond 2028.

As the standoff escalates, Chivero insisted that the war veterans do not want bloodshed.

“A good soldier, a good commander is one who wins the war with minimal loss but the best commander is one who wins a war without firing a bullet,” he said.

The faction’s plans for a national shutdown remain on track, with Chivero citing a Shona idiom that “running is not arriving” to emphasize the need for careful planning.

—ZimLive