Police watched closely as protesters met in small numbers around Zimbabwe's capital Monday. They came because a veteran from President Mnangagwa's ZANU-PF party asked people to demand he step down. This happened after some party members tried extending his leadership past 2028, when his term should end.
Armed officers spread across Harare and Bulawayo early in the morning to prevent any crowds from forming. Many people still recall 2017, when Mnangagwa, aged 82, grabbed power from Robert Mugabe, the first leader after independence. That morning, citizens attempted to gather at President Robert Mugabe Square, also named Freedom Square. According to videos posted online, police scattered them with tear gas.
A protester told CITE media the event should have been peaceful, but officers began hitting participants immediately. She firmly stated that she would remain there even if it meant dying for her children's future. Later that day, several dozen young citizens threw rocks into a street nearby and yelled, "We don't want 2030," until police pushed them away, according to someone who saw everything happen.
Fury has spread through Zimbabwe as word travels about Mnangagwa possibly staying until 2030 or beyond. The nation struggles with huge money problems that citizens blame on corrupt officials and poor leadership. Blessed Geza leads these protests despite hiding after ZANU-PF kicked him out in March.
Last week, Geza posted a video wearing military clothes asking citizens to protest on March 31. He claimed efforts to remove Mnangagwa had already started. Authorities jailed reporter Blessed Mhlanga, who interviewed Geza in February, claiming the conversation might cause violence. His continued imprisonment adds to evidence that government control tightens across this southern African nation where political opponents barely survive.
Central Harare appeared deserted Monday morning as shops, companies, buses, and schools closed, expecting trouble. One man, speaking secretly, said everyone stayed home because frightening rumors about protests scared them away. Big stores in Bulawayo shut their doors with just a handful of customers visiting markets that usually buzz with activity. Law enforcement watched from cars and horses throughout the day.
President Mnangagwa recently moved army chief Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe to run sports, arts, and culture instead. Many experts see this as proof that he worries whether soldiers remain loyal during planned demonstrations. Reports indicate Geza and fellow independence fighters support Vice President Constantino Chiwenga taking over leadership. Chiwenga previously served as a general and helped plan the coup against Mugabe years ago.
Armed officers spread across Harare and Bulawayo early in the morning to prevent any crowds from forming. Many people still recall 2017, when Mnangagwa, aged 82, grabbed power from Robert Mugabe, the first leader after independence. That morning, citizens attempted to gather at President Robert Mugabe Square, also named Freedom Square. According to videos posted online, police scattered them with tear gas.
A protester told CITE media the event should have been peaceful, but officers began hitting participants immediately. She firmly stated that she would remain there even if it meant dying for her children's future. Later that day, several dozen young citizens threw rocks into a street nearby and yelled, "We don't want 2030," until police pushed them away, according to someone who saw everything happen.
Fury has spread through Zimbabwe as word travels about Mnangagwa possibly staying until 2030 or beyond. The nation struggles with huge money problems that citizens blame on corrupt officials and poor leadership. Blessed Geza leads these protests despite hiding after ZANU-PF kicked him out in March.
Last week, Geza posted a video wearing military clothes asking citizens to protest on March 31. He claimed efforts to remove Mnangagwa had already started. Authorities jailed reporter Blessed Mhlanga, who interviewed Geza in February, claiming the conversation might cause violence. His continued imprisonment adds to evidence that government control tightens across this southern African nation where political opponents barely survive.
Central Harare appeared deserted Monday morning as shops, companies, buses, and schools closed, expecting trouble. One man, speaking secretly, said everyone stayed home because frightening rumors about protests scared them away. Big stores in Bulawayo shut their doors with just a handful of customers visiting markets that usually buzz with activity. Law enforcement watched from cars and horses throughout the day.
President Mnangagwa recently moved army chief Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe to run sports, arts, and culture instead. Many experts see this as proof that he worries whether soldiers remain loyal during planned demonstrations. Reports indicate Geza and fellow independence fighters support Vice President Constantino Chiwenga taking over leadership. Chiwenga previously served as a general and helped plan the coup against Mugabe years ago.
