KEY POINTS
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Residents of Harare ignored Geza’s call for a stay-away protest.
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Vendors and businesses continued their operations across Harare, despite the protest.
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The government warned civil servants against participating in the protest and promised punishments.
On Tuesday, Harare residents largely ignored the call for a stay away from war veteran Blesses Geza. Most businesses operated as usual, and commuters filled the streets as they headed to the city’s main vegetable market in Mbare.
From as early as 5 am, commuter omnibuses were actively touting for passengers, and vendors, especially those in Mbare, continued their usual routines. There was no noticeable change in neighbourhoods like Dzivarasekwa Extension, Madokero, Westlea, Warren Park, Waterfalls, Greendale, and Chitungwiza, which NewZimbabwe.com visited.
The Central Business District (CBD) and high-density areas, including Mbare, Rugare, and Westgate, showed no signs of the anticipated disruptions.
Vendors share their views on Geza’s protest and their daily survival
A vendor in Warren Park, who sells cigarettes, chips, and soft drinks, explained why they could not afford to join the protest.
“We cannot afford to stay away, even if we wanted to,” the vendor said, acknowledging Geza’s criticisms of the ruling elite’s wealth accumulation.
He added, “Everyone understands Geza’s point, but most of us aren’t formally employed. We rely on our daily earnings to survive.” Vendors continued their businesses while most supermarkets remained open, defying the calls for protest.
While Geza’s intentions were supported by some, many vendors felt that a different approach was needed to gain widespread support.
Government response and Geza’s defiance against Mnangagwa’s leadership
According to New Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean government had previously warned civil servants not to observe the stay away, threatening punishments for non-compliance. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) also issued assurances to citizens, ensuring their safety during the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.
Geza, who has been vocal in his opposition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, announced the stay away on March 31 as part of his resistance against the president’s leadership. Currently in hiding, he has repeatedly criticised Mnangagwa’s leadership and corruption, asserting that the war for Zimbabwe’s freedom was not fought for Mnangagwa and his allies to prosper.
He also finds himself at the heart of internal factional battles within the ruling Zanu PF party, where some members are pushing for Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030.
Others, however, want Mnangagwa to step down in 2028, and the differing views have placed Geza at the centre of these party divisions.
