President Emmerson Mnangagwa reacted angrily when war veterans called for him to step down. He labeled their demands as treasonous and promised to stop protests planned for March 31st. He also attacked people he called chameleons inside his party, showing the deep divisions that exist within Zanu PF.
During his speech to the Zanu PF central committee in Harare on Thursday, Mnangagwa said certain members acted like chameleons working with enemies to damage their revolutionary history. He yelled down with them and claimed these actions hurt party principles and tarnished both the country and the freedom struggle. He warned these troublemakers would face consequences soon.
War veterans lead the challenge against Mnangagwa after eight years of his rule. They accuse the 82-year-old leader of failing the country and surrounding himself with criminals who profit from corrupt government contracts. Two main leaders of this veterans' group, Blessed Geza and Andreas Mathibela, reportedly left Zimbabwe to avoid arrest for stirring rebellion.
Blessed Bombshell Geza stands out as the loudest voice demanding the President leave office. This former Zanu PF central committee member appears linked to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Geza posted several YouTube videos asking Zimbabweans to rise against Mnangagwa on March 31st.
His latest video came out Wednesday from a secret location. Geza wore military clothes and repeated his call for mass action. He urged everyone from border to border across Zimbabwe to fill the streets and demand that Mnangagwa go. The party kicked Geza out two weeks ago, but he claims many war veterans support him because they hate how Mnangagwa runs the country.
Nobody knows if people will actually join Geza in protesting. The government took the threat seriously and deployed security forces everywhere across Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa also fired army commander Lieutenant General Anselem Senyatwe, who supported Chiwenga, because he feared a possible coup from former friends.
Mnangagwa tried to look strong when speaking to his party. He claimed he had enough support to defeat such treasonous acts of bad behavior. He told the central committee that citizens should continue normal activities on March 31st. He assured them security forces stood ready to protect property and keep everyone safe throughout Zimbabwe.
At an earlier meeting Wednesday, Mnangagwa told his political bureau he enjoyed support from patriotic citizens who would crush efforts by troublemakers trying to disrupt peace and unity. He dismissed critics by saying barking dogs cannot stop the country from moving forward. His supporters want to change the constitution to extend his final term by two years until 2030.
Party loyalists worry Geza might act as a front man for Vice President Chiwenga, the retired general who led the 2017 military takeover that removed longtime ruler Robert Mugabe and helped Mnangagwa become president. Chiwenga has said nothing publicly about Geza, and nobody knows exactly how much power he still holds with military leaders who can influence party decisions.
The recent removal of army commander Sanyatwe, believed loyal to Chiwenga, suggests that Mnangagwa wants to strengthen his position and block any challenges to his authority. Geza asked opposition leaders to join his protest movement despite questions about his democratic beliefs. He named several businessmen, including First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa, as criminals around the president.
Geza declared they planned action against these criminals, arguing that sixteen million citizens should not suffer because of a few powerful people. He mentioned how sad things became when people say colonial rule felt better than current conditions. He promised to target Mnangagwa on March 31st but go after other criminals immediately.
He added that war veterans felt sorry for supporting Zanu PF leadership all these years. As aging veterans approached later life, they refused to leave Zimbabwe controlled by thieves. Zimbabwe remains tense as March 31st approaches, facing possible unrest. The fight between Mnangagwa and unhappy war veterans, along with power struggles inside Zanu PF, creates dangerous political conditions.
During his speech to the Zanu PF central committee in Harare on Thursday, Mnangagwa said certain members acted like chameleons working with enemies to damage their revolutionary history. He yelled down with them and claimed these actions hurt party principles and tarnished both the country and the freedom struggle. He warned these troublemakers would face consequences soon.
War veterans lead the challenge against Mnangagwa after eight years of his rule. They accuse the 82-year-old leader of failing the country and surrounding himself with criminals who profit from corrupt government contracts. Two main leaders of this veterans' group, Blessed Geza and Andreas Mathibela, reportedly left Zimbabwe to avoid arrest for stirring rebellion.
Blessed Bombshell Geza stands out as the loudest voice demanding the President leave office. This former Zanu PF central committee member appears linked to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Geza posted several YouTube videos asking Zimbabweans to rise against Mnangagwa on March 31st.
His latest video came out Wednesday from a secret location. Geza wore military clothes and repeated his call for mass action. He urged everyone from border to border across Zimbabwe to fill the streets and demand that Mnangagwa go. The party kicked Geza out two weeks ago, but he claims many war veterans support him because they hate how Mnangagwa runs the country.
Nobody knows if people will actually join Geza in protesting. The government took the threat seriously and deployed security forces everywhere across Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa also fired army commander Lieutenant General Anselem Senyatwe, who supported Chiwenga, because he feared a possible coup from former friends.
Mnangagwa tried to look strong when speaking to his party. He claimed he had enough support to defeat such treasonous acts of bad behavior. He told the central committee that citizens should continue normal activities on March 31st. He assured them security forces stood ready to protect property and keep everyone safe throughout Zimbabwe.
At an earlier meeting Wednesday, Mnangagwa told his political bureau he enjoyed support from patriotic citizens who would crush efforts by troublemakers trying to disrupt peace and unity. He dismissed critics by saying barking dogs cannot stop the country from moving forward. His supporters want to change the constitution to extend his final term by two years until 2030.
Party loyalists worry Geza might act as a front man for Vice President Chiwenga, the retired general who led the 2017 military takeover that removed longtime ruler Robert Mugabe and helped Mnangagwa become president. Chiwenga has said nothing publicly about Geza, and nobody knows exactly how much power he still holds with military leaders who can influence party decisions.
The recent removal of army commander Sanyatwe, believed loyal to Chiwenga, suggests that Mnangagwa wants to strengthen his position and block any challenges to his authority. Geza asked opposition leaders to join his protest movement despite questions about his democratic beliefs. He named several businessmen, including First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa, as criminals around the president.
Geza declared they planned action against these criminals, arguing that sixteen million citizens should not suffer because of a few powerful people. He mentioned how sad things became when people say colonial rule felt better than current conditions. He promised to target Mnangagwa on March 31st but go after other criminals immediately.
He added that war veterans felt sorry for supporting Zanu PF leadership all these years. As aging veterans approached later life, they refused to leave Zimbabwe controlled by thieves. Zimbabwe remains tense as March 31st approaches, facing possible unrest. The fight between Mnangagwa and unhappy war veterans, along with power struggles inside Zanu PF, creates dangerous political conditions.
