A huge number of people stayed home during the protest, hurting the government's claim that everything ran normally. This showed growing anger about the ruling Zanu PF trying to keep Mnangagwa in power past his legal term limits.
The government sent tons of security forces before the planned protest, which scared many citizens. Army and police vehicles patrolled everywhere - sometimes 20 vehicles at once! Soldiers wore riot gear as they roamed the streets. Many people felt safer just staying inside than risking trouble with all these armed officers.
Blessed "Bombshell" Geza started the March 31 Resistance movement. He used to work as an intelligence officer and fought in the war. People say he supports Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Mnangagwa and Chiwenga have been fighting for power lately. Mnangagwa wants to change the rules to stay president until 2030, but Chiwenga strongly opposes this plan.
Bulawayo looked like a ghost town that morning. Big businesses, small shops, and market stalls stayed closed, and only large supermarkets and food places dared open their doors. Many schools shut down completely, and others sent students back home. Most buses and taxis avoided downtown, leaving many people stranded with no way to travel.
Things heated up around lunchtime in Harare when protesters gathered on Rotten Row Road. They shouted things against Mnangagwa like "Taramba 2030," which means "We reject 2030." Young people blocked roads with stones until the police came to break up the crowds. Bulawayo remained quieter, but you could tell something was wrong - hardly any cars drove around, and police stood at every major corner wearing riot gear.
The popular Fifth Avenue market looked deserted as vendors covered their goods and closed shop, fearing trouble might start. Supermarkets like Spar stayed open but had very few customers. Fast food places sat almost empty—Chicken Inn barely had any customers. This proved that most residents decided to play it safe at home.
Usually busy places like Egodini Terminus and Shashe Market stood empty. Almost nobody moved around these areas. Very few buses headed to Mutare or Harare. Police cars constantly drove through the city, making sure people didn't gather anywhere.
The protests affected the entire country. Other towns reported closed businesses and heavy security presence. In townships like Makokoba, people hesitated to leave home early in the day. By afternoon, some normal activities resumed - kids played outside, and adults did their regular chores. Some businesses opened halfway, keeping doors partially open just in case.
Car dealerships took extra precautions by removing vehicles from showrooms to prevent damage if riots happened. The government responded harshly, setting up roadblocks everywhere. Police stopped and searched vehicles near Heroes Acre along Bulawayo Road, looking for anyone participating in protests.
The government spent huge money on security that day. Critics pointed out that police and soldiers outnumbered regular citizens on the streets. The massive security presence made cities feel weird and empty—more like a military parade than a regular workday.
Opposition politician Iphithule Maphosa said even though March 31 involved more staying home than street protests, it still sent a clear message to Mnangagwa. He claimed that Zimbabweans reject the third-term attempt. The successful stay-away showed widespread unhappiness and fear about government crackdowns.
Another expert, Dr. Vusumuzi Sibanda, believes the protest movement has just begun. He expects more power struggles inside the Zanu PF party and increased political games. He thinks security forces might crack down harder next time. Dr. Sibanda feels sad that instead of moving forward, the country remains tense. He said everyone keeps watching social media for updates on this political battle.
The government sent tons of security forces before the planned protest, which scared many citizens. Army and police vehicles patrolled everywhere - sometimes 20 vehicles at once! Soldiers wore riot gear as they roamed the streets. Many people felt safer just staying inside than risking trouble with all these armed officers.
Blessed "Bombshell" Geza started the March 31 Resistance movement. He used to work as an intelligence officer and fought in the war. People say he supports Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Mnangagwa and Chiwenga have been fighting for power lately. Mnangagwa wants to change the rules to stay president until 2030, but Chiwenga strongly opposes this plan.
Bulawayo looked like a ghost town that morning. Big businesses, small shops, and market stalls stayed closed, and only large supermarkets and food places dared open their doors. Many schools shut down completely, and others sent students back home. Most buses and taxis avoided downtown, leaving many people stranded with no way to travel.
Things heated up around lunchtime in Harare when protesters gathered on Rotten Row Road. They shouted things against Mnangagwa like "Taramba 2030," which means "We reject 2030." Young people blocked roads with stones until the police came to break up the crowds. Bulawayo remained quieter, but you could tell something was wrong - hardly any cars drove around, and police stood at every major corner wearing riot gear.
The popular Fifth Avenue market looked deserted as vendors covered their goods and closed shop, fearing trouble might start. Supermarkets like Spar stayed open but had very few customers. Fast food places sat almost empty—Chicken Inn barely had any customers. This proved that most residents decided to play it safe at home.
Usually busy places like Egodini Terminus and Shashe Market stood empty. Almost nobody moved around these areas. Very few buses headed to Mutare or Harare. Police cars constantly drove through the city, making sure people didn't gather anywhere.
The protests affected the entire country. Other towns reported closed businesses and heavy security presence. In townships like Makokoba, people hesitated to leave home early in the day. By afternoon, some normal activities resumed - kids played outside, and adults did their regular chores. Some businesses opened halfway, keeping doors partially open just in case.
Car dealerships took extra precautions by removing vehicles from showrooms to prevent damage if riots happened. The government responded harshly, setting up roadblocks everywhere. Police stopped and searched vehicles near Heroes Acre along Bulawayo Road, looking for anyone participating in protests.
The government spent huge money on security that day. Critics pointed out that police and soldiers outnumbered regular citizens on the streets. The massive security presence made cities feel weird and empty—more like a military parade than a regular workday.
Opposition politician Iphithule Maphosa said even though March 31 involved more staying home than street protests, it still sent a clear message to Mnangagwa. He claimed that Zimbabweans reject the third-term attempt. The successful stay-away showed widespread unhappiness and fear about government crackdowns.
Another expert, Dr. Vusumuzi Sibanda, believes the protest movement has just begun. He expects more power struggles inside the Zanu PF party and increased political games. He thinks security forces might crack down harder next time. Dr. Sibanda feels sad that instead of moving forward, the country remains tense. He said everyone keeps watching social media for updates on this political battle.
