HARARE – As political tensions escalate in Zimbabwe ahead of a planned nationwide uprising on March 31, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere, who is also President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally, has issued a stern warning, denouncing calls for the Zanu-PF leader’s resignation as “delusional rumblings and reactionary grandstanding”.
The warning comes after political firebrand war veteran Blessed Geza, a former Zanu-PF Central Committee member and fugitive, made a call for Mnangagwa’s immediate resignation.
Geza accused Mnangagwa of overseeing and tolerating corruption, which he claims has crippled Zimbabwe’s economy.
Geza has also asserted his support for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is believed to be the frontrunner in the race to replace Mnangagwa. A coup, similar to the one that brought Mnangagwa into power in November 2017, is not being ruled out.
Chiwenga, a former Army General, is believed to have a strong backing from the military.
Against this background, Muswere has empathised government’s plan to thwart the planned uprising.
Muswere urged Zimbabweans to ignore Geza’s calls, labeling him a “divisionalist and factionalist hell-bent on sowing seeds of division.” The Minister also assured the nation that law enforcement agents are ready to quash any violent demonstrations.
“We would like to assure the nation that no violent demonstration will ever see the light of day. Zimbabweans are encouraged to ignore Geza’s delusional rumblings, polemic and reactionary grandstanding is a clear misdirection of ambition,” Muswere stated.
“Geza is a divisionalist and factionalist hell-bent on sowing seeds of division, but all his efforts will not bear fruit.
“He is a fugitive from justice, and it will not be long before his inflammatory statements are dealt with.”
Responding to Muswere’s utterances. Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent investigative journalist and anti-corruption activist, said that the people of Zimbabwe are fed up with the corruption and suffering they’re experiencing under Mnangagwa’s rule.
He added that people are not supporting Geza’s call for Mnangagwa’s removal because they love Geza, but because they are desperate for a solution to their suffering.
“What Mnangagwa and his minions, like Jenfan Muswere, fail to understand is that, for Zimbabweans, this is not about war veteran Blessed ‘Bombshell’ Geza.
“It is about the deep anger the majority of Zimbabweans feel towards corruption, which is all controlled from the President’s office,” the journalist stated.
“Anyone who confronts the unfortunate reality of a corrupt president will be listened to. Mnangagwa has completely wrecked Zimbabwe’s public institutions through corruption, so anyone who calls for his removal will be heard.
“Bombshell is not being listened to because Zimbabweans suddenly have love and affection for General Chiwenga.
He is being listened to because he is proposing a solution and a plan to take on the person they associate with their suffering and misery.”
The situation in government and Zanu-PF has sparked concerns about the potential for unrest in the country. Mnangagwa’s allies want him to amend the Constitution to extend his rule beyond the constitutionally stipulated two terms and remain in office until 2030.
Chiwenga is opposed to this.
Mnangagwa has reiterated his commitment to adhering to constitutional term limits, despite some within the ruling party pushing for his term to be extended until 2030.
His sincerity is, however, questioned due to his failure to stop his supporters from calling for his continued rule.
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