Police set up checkpoints Monday on roads heading to major cities across Zimbabwe. They searched vehicles for what they called "dangerous weapons" because people planned to protest against the government. Many workers stayed home, and parents kept their kids from school. This caused much less traffic than normal in downtown Harare and Bulawayo.
The streets looked empty in Bulawayo, the second-largest city. Police drove around Joshua Mqabuko Street in trucks, watching for problems. Someone described the central business district as looking like a Sunday morning—hardly any people or cars moved around. Big supermarkets in both Bulawayo and Harare didn't even open their doors.
Blessed Geza, an outspoken military veteran, asked citizens to rise against President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He accused the president of failing as a leader and of pretending to fight corruption. The government wants to arrest Geza for treason but hasn't found him yet. Before the planned protests, Geza posted on X, saying everyone should fill the streets because "Mnangagwa must go."
By 8 AM, no protesters appeared anywhere in Zimbabwe. It seems many people feared what might happen if they joined. Geza might still say he partly won - just one person caused major disruption that hurt businesses nationwide. Police told Zimbabweans to carry on as usual and promised enough security. The government canceled all police vacation time and surprisingly sent $50 to each officer last Saturday. They also made police detectives sign papers promising loyalty.
The streets looked empty in Bulawayo, the second-largest city. Police drove around Joshua Mqabuko Street in trucks, watching for problems. Someone described the central business district as looking like a Sunday morning—hardly any people or cars moved around. Big supermarkets in both Bulawayo and Harare didn't even open their doors.
Blessed Geza, an outspoken military veteran, asked citizens to rise against President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He accused the president of failing as a leader and of pretending to fight corruption. The government wants to arrest Geza for treason but hasn't found him yet. Before the planned protests, Geza posted on X, saying everyone should fill the streets because "Mnangagwa must go."
By 8 AM, no protesters appeared anywhere in Zimbabwe. It seems many people feared what might happen if they joined. Geza might still say he partly won - just one person caused major disruption that hurt businesses nationwide. Police told Zimbabweans to carry on as usual and promised enough security. The government canceled all police vacation time and surprisingly sent $50 to each officer last Saturday. They also made police detectives sign papers promising loyalty.
