Harare – In a move that suggests growing unease within President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers have been compelled to sign loyalty forms, pledging their unwavering obedience to Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba. This development comes on the heels of an unexplained US$50 allowance deposited into the accounts of all ZRP officers, just days before a planned demonstration led by war veteran Blessed Geza on March 31.
The loyalty forms, seen by New Zimbabwe, were circulated across police stations and posts throughout the country both before and after Monday’s “stay away,” which saw largely deserted streets in major towns as citizens heeded Geza’s call to protest President Mnangagwa’s alleged attempts to remain in power beyond his constitutionally mandated term.
Presented as an “Oath of Service,” the form includes clauses such as: “I will faithfully, truly and to the best of my judgment, skill and ability, execute and perform the duties required of me as a member of the ZRP,” and “I will not, without due authority, disclose or make known any matter that comes to my knowledge by reason of such employment.”
The oath further stipulates: “As a police officer, I shall be deemed to be available for duty at all times and may at any time be assigned by the Commissioner General of Police to any post, department, section or station within any part of Zimbabwe to perform any function conferred upon or assigned to me.”
The ZRP also set up checkpoints on roads leading to major cities and towns on Monday, March 31, in anticipation of planned anti-government protests. Police stopped vehicles and searched for “dangerous weapons,” just days after issuing nationwide prohibition orders against carrying such items.
According to ZimLive, traffic in Harare and Bulawayo city centres was noticeably lighter as many people chose not to go to work, and children stayed home from school.
This follows calls from outspoken war veteran Blessed Geza for an “uprising” against President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accusing him of leadership failures and of plotting to remain in power illegally until 2030.
Despite the heightened security, the police urged Zimbabweans to go about their business as usual, assuring them of adequate protection.
On Saturday, the government deposited US$50 into individual police accounts and cancelled all police officers’ leave. Police detectives were also reportedly made to sign an oath under the Official Secrets Act, pledging loyalty to the government. They agreed to follow orders from the police commissioner and promised not to disclose information about arrested suspects.
Despite his promises, truckloads of button-stick-wielding anti-riot officers could be seen crisscrossing Harare, Masvingo and Bulawayo.
However, as the day progressed, there were no visible signs of protests across Zimbabwe. Many large supermarkets in both Bulawayo and Harare city centres remained closed.
Political Analyst Pride Mkono said these forms were not a surprise as Mnangagwa’s regime was fast realising that its exit was now closer.
“This is part of a cocktail of strategies employed by authoritarian regimes. In Zimbabwe, they come ahead of possible uprising given how unpopular the Zanu PF regime has become,” said Mkono.
“You will probably see a lot of other deployments in other state security agencies. This is not shocking; Mnangagwa knows that his exit is closer. It is a sign that his regime is panicking. This regime consolidation is coming at a time when factionalism has ripped apart the ruling party.”
Geza had, in publicly shared addresses, called on state security agents to stand with the people in unseating Mnangagwa, who wants to stay in power beyond his constitutionally mandated two terms. He promised better working conditions and improved wages, comparing his promises to the US$50 ‘allowance’ given to the officers.
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