Mutare – A 34-year-old man from Manicaland province has been detained for nearly a month after being arrested for allegedly praising Blessed “Bombshell” Geza, an expelled Zanu-PF central committee member who has publicly called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
Alfred Ngonidzaishe Machakaire, from Gowo village under Chief Makoni in the Makoni district, has spent 24 days in both police cells and at Reshape Prison in Manicaland province since his arrest on February 24th.
He faces charges of undermining the authority of or insulting the President, as defined in section 33(2)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
According to prosecutors, Machakaire allegedly undermined Mnangagwa’s authority during a verbal altercation with Leonard Chidemo, the Zanu-PF councillor for ward 5 in the Makoni North constituency.
The incident reportedly occurred at Mugadza Bottle Store at Runyange business centre in Chendambuya, where Machakaire was drinking beer. He allegedly asked Chidemo to buy him a drink.
Chidemo reportedly refused, stating that he did not have the money. This allegedly angered Machakaire, who then became abusive.
The prosecution alleges that Machakaire, who is being represented by Leonard Chigadza of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, then undermined Mnangagwa’s authority by uttering obscenities against the President.
Prosecutors claim that Machakaire acted unlawfully by uttering the insulting words and praising Geza, a liberation war veteran and former Zanu-PF central committee member who was recently expelled from the ruling party.
Machakaire is one of several people who have been arrested and prosecuted across Zimbabwe for allegedly undermining Mnangagwa’s authority.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has called for unity and discipline within Zanu-PF, following warnings from the party’s youth league leader, John Paradza, that his brigade is ready to thwart planned protests on March 31st aimed at forcing the President to step down.
Paradza made these remarks during the launch of the Presidential Empowerment Youth Fund in Harare, where Mnangagwa was the guest of honour. The event was quickly transformed into a platform for denouncing Geza, who has been rallying Zimbabweans to support anti-government protests.
Yesterday’s gathering, intended to showcase the ruling party’s commitment to youth empowerment, became a stage for fiery speeches, slogans, and songs against Geza.
Zanu-PF youth provincial chairpersons chanted anti-Geza slogans during the event. “Pasi naGeza (Down with Geza) . . . we don’t care about you. You were fired,” they chanted.
Geza was recently expelled from Zanu-PF alongside several party members on various charges, including undermining the party leadership.
Paradza, a staunch Mnangagwa loyalist and Zanu-PF deputy youth affairs secretary, sought to assure the President that plans were in place to thwart the protest. “We want to assure you President that there is no demonstration on March 31 as long as we are there as the youths,” he said. “We have all these youths, we are all equal and we are not threatened by what we are seeing on social media. Geza should remember that it is Zanu-PF which raised him.”
ICT minister Tatenda Mavetera, a vocal supporter of plans to extend Mnangagwa’s term of office from 2028 to 2030, pledged her support to the President. “Mnangagwa is the only one who can rule for now,” Mavetera said.
Chiwenga was presiding over the burial, where Mavetera and her group reportedly declared that he would not rule the country. Chiwenga did not attend the launch of the Presidential Empowerment Youth Fund yesterday.
In his address, Mnangagwa did not directly respond to Geza’s calls for him to step down, instead focusing on the empowerment of youths. “The US$2 million fund must not be taken as a free handout, but as a revolving fund that issues loans, which are paid back for the benefit of more people,” the President said. “Transparency and integrity in administering projects is of uttermost importance and do not be found wanting.”
Mnangagwa, who also launched a further US$5 million Presidential Mining Equipment Scheme for the youth, called for unity and discipline within the ruling party. “Discipline and unity of purpose among the rank and file of the youth remains the compass of Zanu-PF and a nation that is a living testimony,” he said.
Geza has accused the government of failing to address rampant corruption and economic challenges, which have left many Zimbabweans struggling to make ends meet.
Zanu-PF has been left divided over controversial plans to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure. Last October, the ruling party adopted a resolution to extend his term despite him repeatedly saying he intends to retire in 2028.
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