Harare – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reacted with fury to calls for his resignation by a faction of war veterans, branding their demands “treasonous” and vowing to crush planned protests scheduled for March 31st.
The Zanu PF leader also lashed out at “chameleon-like characters” within his own party, offering a rare glimpse into the rampant factionalism that continues to plague the ruling party.
Addressing the Zanu PF central committee in Harare on Thursday, Mnangagwa stated: “It is most unfortunate that a retrogressive trend has emerged, with some members of our party showing their chameleon-like characters as willing accessories to our detractors for the purpose of desecrating our rich revolutionary heritage. Down with them!”
He continued, “Their actions are an affront to the party’s principles and grossly taint our country’s image as well as the gains of our liberation struggle. These rogue opportunists will soon meet their fate.”
The challenge to Mnangagwa’s eight-year rule is spearheaded by a group of independence war veterans who accuse the 82-year-old of leadership failures and surrounding himself with “criminals” who allegedly benefit from corruptly-awarded state contracts.
Two of the leading figures within this veterans’ faction – Blessed Geza and Andreas Mathibela – are believed to have fled the country to avoid facing sedition charges.
Blessed ‘Bombshell’ Geza, a former Zanu PF central committee member and an outspoken critic of Mnangagwa’s government, has emerged as the most prominent voice calling for the President’s removal. Geza, who is rumoured to be an ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, has released a series of YouTube videos urging an “uprising” to oust Mnangagwa on March 31st.
Geza, who was expelled from Zanu PF two weeks ago, claims to represent a significant number of war veterans who are disillusioned with the country’s current trajectory under Mnangagwa’s leadership.
While it remains to be seen whether Geza’s call for mass action will be heeded, Mnangagwa’s government is taking no chances, implementing a heavy-handed security response across the country.
Mnangagwa has moved to quell any potential unrest by deploying security forces nationwide. He has also retired army commander Lieutenant General Anselem Senyatwe, an ally of Chiwenga, amid growing fears of a possible coup by former allies.
Mnangagwa has sought to project an image of strength and control, asserting that he has the support within his party to overcome “such treasonous acts of indiscipline.”
He added in his address to the central committee: “People are called upon to go about their business as usual (on March 31). Our state security infrastructure is in place to protect property and the safety of all Zimbabweans, from Plumtree to Mutare, Chirundu to Beitbridge.”
Mnangagwa also spoke to his party’s politburo in Harare on Wednesday stating he had enough support from “patriotic citizens to squash efforts by malcontents and rogue delusional elements bent on disturbing our peace, unity and harmony.” He added: “Those who bark will continue doing so while the country moves forward.”
Geza’s uprising call has further heightened tensions within Zanu PF, particularly at a time when Mnangagwa’s supporters are pushing for a constitutional amendment to extend his second and final term by two years, from 2028 to 2030.
Mnangagwa loyalists are reportedly concerned that Geza might be acting as a proxy for Vice President and retired General Constantino Chiwenga, the man who orchestrated the 2017 military coup that ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe and paved the way for Mnangagwa’s ascent to power.
Chiwenga has remained publicly silent on the issue of Geza, and the extent of his influence within the military, which remains a key power broker in Zanu PF, remains unclear.
Geza has also called on opposition leaders to join his call for action, although questions remain about his own democratic credentials.
In Wednesday’s video appearance, the former Zanu PF central committee member gave out names of what he called “criminals around Mnangagwa” and a second group of “political criminals.”
The first list included businessmen Wicknell Chivayo, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Scott Sakupwanya and Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxilia, who allegedly harbours ambitions of becoming president.
“It’s sad what’s happening, you now even hear people saying colonial rule was better. All this is being caused by these political criminals.
“We’re dealing with Mnangagwa on March 31 but these criminals we’re going after them starting from now.
“These people think they’re very clever, but they’re going to regret. It’s they who will in the end voluntarily go to Mnangagwa and say ‘please go now, we’re suffering’.”
Geza said war veterans were “very sorry that we let you down” from years of backing Zanu PF leadership.
“As war veterans we’re in the afternoon of our lives… we cannot leave the country in the hands of thieves. The task to remove the thieves and political criminals is underway,” he added.
As March 31st approaches, Zimbabwe finds itself on edge, with the potential for unrest looming large. The confrontation between President Mnangagwa and a faction of disgruntled war veterans, coupled with the ongoing power struggles within Zanu PF, has created a volatile political climate. Whether Geza’s call for an uprising will gain traction remains to be seen, but the government’s heavy-handed response suggests that it is taking the threat seriously.
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