Panic over Cde Bombshell Blessed Geza’s 31 March protests: Police issue warning as schools tell pupils to stay at home

Harare – Zimbabwe is bracing for potential unrest as planned demonstrations against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule loom, prompting some schools to advise students to stay home and raising concerns about public safety. The authorities are struggling to reassure a jittery populace that they are in control of the situation, while opposition voices call for dialogue to avert potential chaos.

The call for protests, slated to begin tomorrow, was spearheaded by Blessed “Bombshell” Geza, an expelled Zanu-PF central committee member and war veteran. Geza, part of a faction within the ruling party opposed to extending Mnangagwa’s stay in power beyond the constitutionally mandated 2030, is demanding that the president step down.

Despite police assurances that the security situation remains under control, anxieties are running high. In Harare, leisure centres are reportedly being forced to close earlier than usual, a sign of heightened vigilance and a desire to avoid potential flashpoints.

Adding to the unease, some private schools have taken the precautionary measure of telling students to stay home tomorrow, a move that police have criticised as “uncalled for.”

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns school authorities, especially private schools who have sent pupils home on false social media claims and indicated that they will be called back in May 2025,” police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said, attempting to downplay the situation.

Nyathi added that the commissioner-general of police (Stephen Mutamba) has engaged the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to take action on such private colleges and schools.

“The public should feel free to report anyone inciting violence, issuing threats or intimidating them to engage in unlawful acts,” he urged, seeking to reassure the public and deter potential troublemakers.

The uncertainty has led some schools to cancel major activities and events scheduled for March 31, prioritising the safety and well-being of their students.

Adding to the disruption, some teachers, particularly in the capital, have notified their school heads that they would be unable to report for duty on Monday, citing fears for their personal safety.

The government has made it clear that it intends to block the planned protests, raising concerns about potential clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

Motorists have also voiced their frustrations over the increased presence of roadblocks, which have caused significant delays and disruptions to traffic flow.

Observations by The Standard revealed traffic backed up for over a kilometre at some roadblocks, leaving commuters stranded and frustrated.

Obert Masaraure, president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, said teachers were not assured of protection in case the protests turn violent.

“We have advised learners and teachers to stay at home while we assess the security situation because we noted that things are not normal as seen from the government issuing several statements and memos about the so-called March 31 protests,” Masuraure said, highlighting the prevailing sense of unease.

Raymond Majongwe, secretary general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, echoed similar sentiments, urging caution and prioritising personal safety.

“People must not put their lives in danger,” Majongwe said. “If you are not comfortable going out on the day, then trust your instincts. Teachers must not put their lives at risk and get themselves on the crossfire. They must do what they are comfortable with because they have only one life.”

Information ministry secretary Ndabaningi Mangwana dismissed allegations that some government officials whose names were on a list “of political criminals” released by Geza had gone into hiding.

“None of the government officials is fazed by Geza’s rantings and rumblings of a man whose location is undisclosed,” Mangwana said. “He can’t threaten anyone. So government officials are working. Yesterday, most of those officials who were mentioned were in Gokwe for an inter-ministerial committee meeting ahead of the independence celebrations. It’s business as usual.”

Meanwhile, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiCZ), a loose coalition of civic groups, has called for broad-based dialogue to avoid anarchy amid rising political tensions.

The CiCZ urged Mnangagwa’s loyalists to abandon the 2030 agenda in an effort to calm political temperatures.

“The state resources, which are being abused in these power-games are a huge opportunity cost on public health, education and roads,” the CiCZ said, highlighting the detrimental impact of political infighting on essential services.

“In line with the African Union’s call for ‘Silencing the guns in Africa,’ We are thus appealing to Sadc to immediately dispatch its panel of elders to engage President Mnangagwa to stop the 2030 Agenda mantra. Facilitate broad based dialogue with different stakeholders to ensure peace and constitutionalism in the country.”