Zimbabwe faces political turmoil again as former fighters push for President Mnangagwa to step down. They plan a nationwide action on March 31, bringing back memories of 2017 when Robert Mugabe lost power after 37 years. These veterans support Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and say Mnangagwa broke his promises about fixing the economy and making the country more democratic. They blame him for widespread corruption, playing favorites, and letting his friends and family steal from the country.
Mnangagwa has only three years left in office because of term limits, yet his loyal followers want him to stay past 2028. The president claims he respects the constitution and plans to leave on time. Former lawmaker Blessed Runesu Geza leads the charge against him, making serious claims that Mnangagwa even tried to poison Chiwenga. The police want to arrest Geza, who went into hiding after they questioned his wife. He later appeared on social media wearing military clothes, openly saying most former freedom fighters back Chiwenga as the next leader.
Nobody knows for sure if the army will join these protests like it did in 2017 with tanks on the streets. Military sources say it could happen because Chiwenga has strong ties to top generals who respect him. Chiwenga has not commented directly on these claims or whether he wants to become president. He did criticize corruption during a televised event where supporters from both sides sang songs attacking each other.
Mnangagwa fights back by cracking down on critics. Police arrested journalist Blessed Mhlanga for broadcasting interviews with Geza, and courts denied him bail twice. Media groups criticized this arrest as harmful to press freedom. Despite the risk, Geza keeps calling for the president to resign. He says what they plan is not just a protest but an "uprising" and warns police not to arrest anyone. He claims Zimbabwe will be empty if Mnangagwa stays until his term ends.
The police chief stated he could not approve mass protests. Reports say Mnangagwa held emergency meetings at his official residence and personal farm about 200 kilometers from the capital. Youth leaders from the ruling party promised they would stop any protests. Former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who left the country after 2017, defended people's right to protest when leaders go astray. Some countries, including Australia, advised their citizens against traveling to Zimbabwe because of safety concerns.
Geza claims he works with opposition leaders like Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti to form a new government after the protests. The plan remains unclear since, after the 2017 events, the ruling party chose Mugabe's replacement without including opposition parties. Chamisa, who many say unfairly lost to Mnangagwa in the 2023 elections, neither confirmed nor denied joining the March 31 protests. He spoke broadly about Zimbabwe needing leaders who see governance as service to enhance integrity and prosperity.
Mnangagwa has only three years left in office because of term limits, yet his loyal followers want him to stay past 2028. The president claims he respects the constitution and plans to leave on time. Former lawmaker Blessed Runesu Geza leads the charge against him, making serious claims that Mnangagwa even tried to poison Chiwenga. The police want to arrest Geza, who went into hiding after they questioned his wife. He later appeared on social media wearing military clothes, openly saying most former freedom fighters back Chiwenga as the next leader.
Nobody knows for sure if the army will join these protests like it did in 2017 with tanks on the streets. Military sources say it could happen because Chiwenga has strong ties to top generals who respect him. Chiwenga has not commented directly on these claims or whether he wants to become president. He did criticize corruption during a televised event where supporters from both sides sang songs attacking each other.
Mnangagwa fights back by cracking down on critics. Police arrested journalist Blessed Mhlanga for broadcasting interviews with Geza, and courts denied him bail twice. Media groups criticized this arrest as harmful to press freedom. Despite the risk, Geza keeps calling for the president to resign. He says what they plan is not just a protest but an "uprising" and warns police not to arrest anyone. He claims Zimbabwe will be empty if Mnangagwa stays until his term ends.
The police chief stated he could not approve mass protests. Reports say Mnangagwa held emergency meetings at his official residence and personal farm about 200 kilometers from the capital. Youth leaders from the ruling party promised they would stop any protests. Former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who left the country after 2017, defended people's right to protest when leaders go astray. Some countries, including Australia, advised their citizens against traveling to Zimbabwe because of safety concerns.
Geza claims he works with opposition leaders like Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti to form a new government after the protests. The plan remains unclear since, after the 2017 events, the ruling party chose Mugabe's replacement without including opposition parties. Chamisa, who many say unfairly lost to Mnangagwa in the 2023 elections, neither confirmed nor denied joining the March 31 protests. He spoke broadly about Zimbabwe needing leaders who see governance as service to enhance integrity and prosperity.
