Someone broke into Andreas Mathibela's house Wednesday night as fears grow before planned protests against the government on March 31. Mathibela leads a group of Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association members. He stayed away from his Killarney home near Bulawayo when unknown attackers damaged his property. His family went into hiding after reports said security forces put him on a watch list because they believed he helped organize the upcoming protests.
This attack happened shortly after another incident where someone damaged war veteran Blessed "Bombshell" Geza's farmhouse in Sanyati. Geza also went into hiding because he feared punishment for speaking out against those running the country. The same pattern continued when attackers hit Zanu PF member Gifford Gomwe's car and house in Zvimba last week during one night. Both Geza and Mathibela want President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign, saying he runs things poorly and allows corruption.
Mathibela spoke about the attack on his home. "It tries to scare me because of the March 31 protests," he said. He added that protests belong to everyone as a basic right. He has not yet counted all the damage but asked friends and family to report everything to the police. Last week, Zanu PF communications director Farai Marapira denied his party played any part in attacking Gomwe and Geza's properties.
Mathibela made stronger statements earlier this week, asking Mnangagwa to step down. "Parliament should start the process to remove Emmerson Mnangagwa as allowed by section 97 of the Constitution. We passed that point already. Waiting means you agree with him," he stated. He asked security forces to remember that "their loyalty belongs to Zimbabwe's people and Constitution, not just one person." He ended by asking "every citizen—young and old, rural and urban—to stand up peacefully for Zimbabwe's freedom."
Geza urged Zimbabweans on Wednesday night to join street protests Monday demanding Mnangagwa leave office. President Mnangagwa talked to party leaders on Wednesday, claiming that Zanu PF remains "unshaken" and warned against "crazy troublemakers who want to disrupt our peace, unity and harmony." He said, "Those who bark will keep barking as the country moves forward." Behind his confident words, government officials seem scared as the protest date comes closer.
Police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced that officers would patrol everywhere across Zimbabwe to keep the peace. "We will enforce laws against anyone trying to create problems or spread fear on social media," Nyathi warned. He asked people to help police officers and report anyone encouraging violence or blocking traffic. Harare district police chief Superintendent Michael Masvivi banned carrying weapons around the city.
"We forbid carrying catapults, machetes, axes, clubs, swords, knives, daggers, or any traditional weapons that might hurt people or cause disorder," Masvivi explained. Anyone caught breaking this rule faces fines or jail time. The current situation reminds many Zimbabweans of events before former President Robert Mugabe resigned during the November 2017 coup.
A Twitter user named @Chimhamha wrote about Mathibela: "After the Central Intelligence Organisation called him a 'person of security interest' and stopped him from leaving Zimbabwe, look what happened to his property. Andreas Ethan Mathibela leads a group of war veterans. Oh, cry, my beloved Zimbabwe. His only crime was speaking against corruption and bad leadership in our country."
This attack happened shortly after another incident where someone damaged war veteran Blessed "Bombshell" Geza's farmhouse in Sanyati. Geza also went into hiding because he feared punishment for speaking out against those running the country. The same pattern continued when attackers hit Zanu PF member Gifford Gomwe's car and house in Zvimba last week during one night. Both Geza and Mathibela want President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign, saying he runs things poorly and allows corruption.
Mathibela spoke about the attack on his home. "It tries to scare me because of the March 31 protests," he said. He added that protests belong to everyone as a basic right. He has not yet counted all the damage but asked friends and family to report everything to the police. Last week, Zanu PF communications director Farai Marapira denied his party played any part in attacking Gomwe and Geza's properties.
Mathibela made stronger statements earlier this week, asking Mnangagwa to step down. "Parliament should start the process to remove Emmerson Mnangagwa as allowed by section 97 of the Constitution. We passed that point already. Waiting means you agree with him," he stated. He asked security forces to remember that "their loyalty belongs to Zimbabwe's people and Constitution, not just one person." He ended by asking "every citizen—young and old, rural and urban—to stand up peacefully for Zimbabwe's freedom."
Geza urged Zimbabweans on Wednesday night to join street protests Monday demanding Mnangagwa leave office. President Mnangagwa talked to party leaders on Wednesday, claiming that Zanu PF remains "unshaken" and warned against "crazy troublemakers who want to disrupt our peace, unity and harmony." He said, "Those who bark will keep barking as the country moves forward." Behind his confident words, government officials seem scared as the protest date comes closer.
Police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced that officers would patrol everywhere across Zimbabwe to keep the peace. "We will enforce laws against anyone trying to create problems or spread fear on social media," Nyathi warned. He asked people to help police officers and report anyone encouraging violence or blocking traffic. Harare district police chief Superintendent Michael Masvivi banned carrying weapons around the city.
"We forbid carrying catapults, machetes, axes, clubs, swords, knives, daggers, or any traditional weapons that might hurt people or cause disorder," Masvivi explained. Anyone caught breaking this rule faces fines or jail time. The current situation reminds many Zimbabweans of events before former President Robert Mugabe resigned during the November 2017 coup.
A Twitter user named @Chimhamha wrote about Mathibela: "After the Central Intelligence Organisation called him a 'person of security interest' and stopped him from leaving Zimbabwe, look what happened to his property. Andreas Ethan Mathibela leads a group of war veterans. Oh, cry, my beloved Zimbabwe. His only crime was speaking against corruption and bad leadership in our country."
