Cde Bombshell Blessed Geza disappears, leaves Zimbabweans to deal with police and President Mnangagwa on their own #M31Movement

By
Lucas Malaba
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Harare – As Zimbabweans awoke on Monday to a heavy police presence and eerily quiet city centres, the much-anticipated anti-government protests called for by war veteran Blessed Geza, widely known as “Cde Bombshell,” failed to materialise. While police mounted checkpoints on roads leading to major cities and towns, searching vehicles for “dangerous weapons,” the streets remained largely empty, with many choosing to stay home, schools deserted, and large supermarkets remaining closed.

Traffic into the centre of Harare and Bulawayo was noticeably reduced, creating a ghost town atmosphere. A ZimLive correspondent in Bulawayo’s CBD described the scene: “It’s like Sunday morning. Not many people or cars around.” A truckload of police patrolled an emptied Joshua Mqabuko Street, a stark reminder of the security forces’ readiness.

The planned “uprising” against President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whom Geza accuses of leadership failures and paying lip service to corruption, had been building for weeks. Geza, who has been charged with treason but remains at large, had urged Zimbabweans to “fill up the streets” on Monday, declaring, “Mnangagwa must go. It’s for every Zimbabwean. Let’s stand up against corrupt rule.”

However, at 8AM across Zimbabwe, there were no signs of protests. “The call was for people to flood the streets but it appears so far Geza has achieved the opposite with many staying at home perhaps out of fear of what could happen,” a ZimLive correspondent in Harare reported. “Geza will claim a partial victory – one man causing so much chaos and potential harm to the economy which will no doubt take a hit from the industries that won’t open.”

Adding to the sense of anti-climax, Geza has been noticeably silent in the lead-up to the planned protests. The nation was anticipating another address from Geza last night where he would tell the nation how the protests would take place, what would happen next, and other logistics-related details regarding the protests. However, since the day Geza published a 1-and-a-half minute long video, two days ago, where he seemed to be indirectly claiming responsibility for the vehicles that were torched at some of Mnangagwa’s allies’ offices like Wicknell Chivayo, Kuda Tagwirei and John Mangudya, Geza has not said a word. This silence has left citizens who had begun regarding him as a ‘Moses leading the nation out of Egypt’ to lose their hope and simply take the day like a normal public holiday.

In contrast to Geza’s silence, police had called on Zimbabweans to go about their business as usual, promising sufficient security. Leave was cancelled for all police officers, who were also surprised when the government deposited US$50 into their individual accounts last Saturday. Police detectives were also made to sign a document under the Official Secrets Act committing to remain loyal to the government, to carry out any instruction given by the police commissioner, and never to divulge information on arrested suspects.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) sought to reassure the public, stating on X that “the situation in [the] country is peaceful.” The statement emphasized that police officers are actively conducting patrols to maintain order and ensure public safety, encouraging citizens to go about their daily activities without fear.

Meanwhile, the Police has refuted social media reports alleging that they have sanctioned illegal demonstrations. Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi clarified that the ZRP has not issued any such authorization, dismissing the circulating claims as false and attributing them to individuals attempting to disrupt national peace. Commissioner Nyathi urged the public to disregard the misleading information and continue with their daily routines without concern, warning that legal action will be taken against those spreading falsehoods to incite unrest.

Adding to the sense that Geza’s call for an “uprising” had failed to resonate, young people across Harare have vehemently rejected calls to support the planned demonstrations, labelling them as economically disruptive and politically motivated.

In interviews, youths from various suburbs dismissed the demonstrations as a reckless ploy that would only bring instability, vowing not to be used as pawns in what they described as Geza’s personal vendetta.

Tafadzwa Moyo, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Highfield, said the youth would not allow themselves to be manipulated into acts of violence. “We are not fools. These demonstrations are not for us; they are for Geza’s own agenda. We won’t be used to commit treason, arson, or terrorism just because he has a political grudge. Zimbabwe’s future is more important than one man’s anger,” Moyo declared.

Kudzai Chikomo, a university student from Mbare, urged Geza to seek peaceful solutions instead of inciting unrest. “If he has a grievance, let him address it through proper channels—not by turning his personal issues into a national crisis. We need maturity, not chaos. The youth are tired of being used for political games,” Chikomo said.

With young people making up nearly 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s population, many emphasised that their future was at stake and refused to let it be jeopardised by unnecessary unrest. “We are the majority, and we refuse to let Geza ruin the progress we are making. Tomorrow is a day to work, to hustle, to build—not to waste time in the streets just to massage his political ego,” said Tanaka Muzenda, a mechanic from Epworth.

Another youth, Farai Dube from Kuwadzana, questioned the timing of the protests, arguing that Zimbabweans were more focused on earning a living than engaging in destructive demonstrations. “People are facing some challenges, yes, but burning tyres and blocking roads won’t put food on the table. Geza should find better ways to push his agenda instead of dragging desperate youths into trouble,” Dube said.

The overwhelming rejection of Geza’s planned protests highlights growing frustration among Zimbabwe’s youth, who are increasingly wary of being manipulated for political gain. Many young people are choosing productivity over protest, signalling a clear message to political actors that the youth will no longer be tools for destabilisation.

As the day wore on, it became clear that Geza’s call for an “uprising” had largely fizzled out. While the heavy police presence and the fear of potential unrest undoubtedly played a role in deterring participation, the lack of support from key demographics, particularly the youth, and Geza’s own sudden silence, suggest a deeper disconnect between his message and the realities of everyday Zimbabweans.


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