Harare – The Zimbabwean government is on high alert after outspoken war veteran Blessed Geza issued a call for a two-day national shutdown, aimed at forcing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign. The government has reacted with a mix of dismissal and thinly veiled threats, revealing a palpable unease over Geza’s growing influence.
This latest challenge comes after Mnangagwa faced backlash from war veterans over a controversial plan by some of his loyalists to extend his term beyond the constitutional limit of 2028, pushing it to 2030. Despite the President publicly stating that he has no interest in remaining in office beyond 2028, the issue has fuelled discontent among some factions.
Information minister Jenfan Muswere has pleaded with Zimbabweans to disregard Geza’s call, dismissing him as a “comedian, madman and content creator.”
“He [Geza] is a comedian, madman and content creator. We urge people to go to work and work for their families and not be misled in any way by him,” Muswere told NewsDay in an interview.
Muswere also issued a veiled threat to Geza and other “cyber terrorists,” stating that “their days are numbered.”
“We are not moved by these cyber terrorists. Their days are numbered. We should work for our families and not be misled by an individual.”
This is not the first time Geza has rattled the government. Last month, he called for national protests against Mnangagwa, which ultimately manifested as a national shutdown that shook the government. Geza believes that staying at home is a strategic way to exert pressure on Mnangagwa without provoking a heavy-handed response from the police.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the main opposition party, has thrown its weight behind Geza’s call for a national shutdown.
“Our position as the opposition party in the country is that we support every progressive effort by any citizen or individual who fighting against corruption and even manoeuvres to alter the Constitution,” said CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi.
However, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has adopted a more cautious approach, stating that it will consult its constituency before taking a position.
“Blessed Geza has not reached out to us to understand the issues he is pursuing . . . we are on standby until we get direction from the workers we represent,” said ZCTU secretary-general Kudakwashe Munengiwa.
Munengiwa acknowledged that workers are unhappy with the current economic situation, noting that “workers’ wages have gone down since 2017.”
Similarly, Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo declined to comment on whether health workers would participate in the shutdown, stating, “We don’t comment on politics as we may be regarded as politicians.”
Meanwhile, Zanu PF has dismissed Geza’s call as insignificant.
“It’s an insult to Zanu PF to be seen responding to a cartoon character like Geza,” said Zanu PF director of Information Farai Marapira. “Zanu PF is a big party and people in the country have shown that they have no time to respond to listen to such characters.”
Despite the dismissive rhetoric, the heavy police deployment ahead of the March 31 planned protests betrayed a sense of panic within government circles. Police have already pressed charges against Geza, accusing him of incitement for his “Mnangagwa must go” campaign.
The success of Geza’s latest call for a national shutdown remains to be seen. However, the government’s reaction underscores the potential impact of his actions and the growing discontent within Zimbabwe.
Follow @MyZimbabweNews
