War veterans calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down say they won't back off from their plans to remove him through major protests.
The group was led by Blessed Geza but scattered after authorities put Geza on a wanted list for allegedly trying to stir up violence and undercut the president's power. In a video posted Sunday night from an unknown place, group spokesperson Knox Chivero claimed Mnangagwa sent death squads to hunt them down with kill orders.
Using a Shona saying meaning "running doesn't mean you've arrived," Chivero explained they won't rush their decision about ending the nationwide shutdown. He promised that "Cde Geza's liberating signal" would come very soon, describing their effort as huge because it involves many people rather than just one person.
He stressed that good planning, execution, and aftermath management matter when dealing with the public. The video shows Chivero speaking from a dark room next to a window without mentioning where Geza might be or revealing his current location.
Chivero emphasized that the war veterans, who blame Mnangagwa for economic failures and trying to build a family dynasty, don't want bloodshed. He said the best military leaders win conflicts without firing bullets - exactly what they need when facing government "dogs of war" and hit squads trained in Belarus to kill, not arrest suspects.
He claimed these hitmen had been secretly mixed into regular police units like murder and law enforcement investigators. Chivero described fighting against a heartless enemy, saying ten different units or assassins chased Geza with orders to shoot first and later claimed "he resisted arrest."
Before recording videos demanding Mnangagwa resign last month, Geza, a Zanu PF central committee member, appeared loyal to the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association—the main group representing independent war fighters. Geza's organization claims most people secretly support its demand.
Deep splits exist inside Zanu PF because Mnangagwa supporters want to remove term limits, letting him stay past 2028 when his second and final term ends. Supporters of his ambitious deputy Constantino Chiwenga oppose this plan, which opposition groups strongly fight against.
Police arrested journalist Blessed Mhlanga last week for allegedly inciting violence by posting Geza's videos on Alpha Media Holdings' HStv. A court refused to grant Mhlanga bail.
The group was led by Blessed Geza but scattered after authorities put Geza on a wanted list for allegedly trying to stir up violence and undercut the president's power. In a video posted Sunday night from an unknown place, group spokesperson Knox Chivero claimed Mnangagwa sent death squads to hunt them down with kill orders.
Using a Shona saying meaning "running doesn't mean you've arrived," Chivero explained they won't rush their decision about ending the nationwide shutdown. He promised that "Cde Geza's liberating signal" would come very soon, describing their effort as huge because it involves many people rather than just one person.
He stressed that good planning, execution, and aftermath management matter when dealing with the public. The video shows Chivero speaking from a dark room next to a window without mentioning where Geza might be or revealing his current location.
Chivero emphasized that the war veterans, who blame Mnangagwa for economic failures and trying to build a family dynasty, don't want bloodshed. He said the best military leaders win conflicts without firing bullets - exactly what they need when facing government "dogs of war" and hit squads trained in Belarus to kill, not arrest suspects.
He claimed these hitmen had been secretly mixed into regular police units like murder and law enforcement investigators. Chivero described fighting against a heartless enemy, saying ten different units or assassins chased Geza with orders to shoot first and later claimed "he resisted arrest."
Before recording videos demanding Mnangagwa resign last month, Geza, a Zanu PF central committee member, appeared loyal to the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association—the main group representing independent war fighters. Geza's organization claims most people secretly support its demand.
Deep splits exist inside Zanu PF because Mnangagwa supporters want to remove term limits, letting him stay past 2028 when his second and final term ends. Supporters of his ambitious deputy Constantino Chiwenga oppose this plan, which opposition groups strongly fight against.
Police arrested journalist Blessed Mhlanga last week for allegedly inciting violence by posting Geza's videos on Alpha Media Holdings' HStv. A court refused to grant Mhlanga bail.
