Harare – Zanu-PF’s decision to expel central committee member Blessed “Bombshell” Geza has exposed a calculated effort to purge individuals perceived as opponents of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s continued rule beyond 2028. These individuals are increasingly being viewed as backers of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga amidst a growing and bitter succession struggle.
Geza, a war veteran and former soldier, sent shockwaves through Zanu-PF last month when he convened a press conference calling for Mnangagwa’s resignation, citing alleged incompetence, nepotism, and corruption. He argued that the President’s loyalists were advocating for an extension of his term to 2030 to facilitate the continued looting of the country’s resources.
Geza was joined by other war veterans in demanding Mnangagwa’s resignation, until police threatened to arrest him for allegedly inciting violence and other charges.
Patrick Chinamasa, Zanu-PF secretary for legal affairs, addressed journalists in Harare yesterday, announcing that Geza had been expelled alongside Godfrey Gomwe from Harare, Kudakwashe Gopo from Masvingo province, and a Victor Manungu.
These individuals have been linked to a faction challenging the ED2030 campaign and associated with Vice-President Chiwenga.
Other expelled members include Gutu East MP Benjamin Ganyiwa, Gifford Gomwe, Spencer Mutero, and Edson Vingwa, among others.
Harare provincial political commissar Kudakwashe Damson, another perceived ally of Chiwenga, was removed from his position and suspended for three years. Calisto Bangu has been summoned for a hearing for “undermining the party.”
Chinamasa also stated that disciplinary action would be taken against youth league deputy secretary for science and technology Blessed Kambumu.
He confirmed that a Zanu-PF politburo meeting, chaired by Mnangagwa on Wednesday, endorsed Geza’s expulsion.
“Cde Blessed Geza engaged in activities that sought to subvert the party, an act tantamount to treason against the State,” Chinamasa declared. “His blatant disloyalty left the party with no option but to expel him with immediate effect.”
According to Chinamasa, Gomwe and Gopo were expelled for undermining the party’s leadership and fostering divisions within Zanu-PF.
“Cde Gomwe created a WhatsApp group designed to undermine the party’s leadership and sow discord,” he stated. “This act of insubordination warranted his immediate expulsion.”
“Cde Gopo disrupted district co-ordinating committee meetings and was found to have facilitated a WhatsApp platform that promoted division within the party. The politburo, therefore, resolved to expel him,” Chinamasa added.
Chinamasa further explained, “Cde Manungu was found guilty of spreading falsehoods and fostering disunity through social media.” He continued, “His continued acts of disloyalty warranted his expulsion from the party.”
Regarding Damson’s case, Chinamasa stated, “Cde Damson was found guilty of election manipulation, solicitation, abuse of office and insubordination.” He further stated, “Initially suspended for two years, the politburo has extended his suspension to three years, coupled with his removal from office.”
Kambumu was barred from holding any position in the party for insubordination. “Cde Kambumu was found to have created a fraudulent social media account and engaged in insubordination,” Chinamasa said. “While he will retain his membership, he has been barred from holding any position within the party for the next three years.”
Andreas Mathibela, who leads a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) opposed to Mnangagwa’s rule, reiterated that the ex-combatants were concerned about the welfare of the generality of Zimbabweans.
“Our call is about the state of the nation and how it is governed and not Zanu-PF as a party,” Mathibela told NewsDay when asked about Geza’s expulsion. “We have nothing to do with Zanu-PF business, inasmuch as they have nothing to do with ZNLWVA, but if their actions affect the welfare of the nation, then as war veterans we have said and we continue saying it that we are on the side of the citizens.”
Chinamasa also revealed that Zanu-PF intends to curb party members from using social media to criticise the leadership.
“We are hopeful that the social media policy that is to be crafted will assist, not entirely, will help, put order and discipline and unity within our party,” he said.
Zanu-PF national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha stated that the draft social media policy was ready for adoption. “There are several control measures we have put into the policy and any member who digresses from those will certainly appear before the disciplinary committee and charges will be levelled against him,” Machacha said.
The 82-year-old ruler has stated on four occasions that he will not remain in power beyond 2028. However, his loyalists, including Cabinet ministers, continue to push for him to remain in office for two more years.
Observers suggest that the ED2030 campaign is designed to sideline Chiwenga in the succession race.
