Mnangagwa rival Blessed Geza dies in South Africa, vows to “fight from the grave”

JOHANNESBURG – Outspoken Zimbabwean war veteran Blessed Geza, who led social media calls for the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, died in the early hours of Friday at a cardio hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Geza, also known as “Cde Bombshell,” reportedly died a few hours after releasing a defiant message in which he vowed to continue fighting Zimbabwe’s political struggles “from the grave.”

Geza was believed to have been battling a chronic illness.

Geza rose to prominence last year after publicly calling for Mnangagwa’s immediate resignation, a move that marked a sharp break with the ruling establishment.

Following his statements, he went into hiding and later fled Zimbabwe after being charged with inciting violence. At the height of the tensions, authorities imposed shutdown measures in Harare after Geza called for demonstrations.

On Friday morning, a few hours before his death announcement, Geza circulated a lengthy and emotive message addressed to Zimbabweans, in which he suggested his health was deteriorating.

In the message, he said he feared he might not live to see political change in the country, writing that his “energy was sapping” and that he might not be alive “tomorrow, next week, or next month.”

He urged Zimbabweans to continue what he described as a struggle for a free and prosperous nation.

In the same message, Geza reflected on his role in Zimbabwe’s liberation war and on the removal of former president Robert Mugabe in November 2017, for which he later apologised.

He accused the current administration of widespread corruption, state capture, and betraying the ideals of the liberation struggle. He named several politically connected individuals and alleged they were benefiting from corruption, claims that have been denied by the government in the past.

“The Zviganandas have captured the State. They are robbing this country dry. They are stealing from you, from your children, and from your future.

“We are witnessing a collapse of public institutions, cronyism, and nepotism like we’ve never seen before.

“Last year, I exposed their corrupt activities and called for collective action to remove Emmerson from power. But shamefully, using surrogates like Ziyambi Ziyambi and Virginia Mabhiza, he seeks to reward himself with more years to loot our land dry.

“This will never happen. I vow to fight this from the grave,” he stated.

Geza aligned himself politically with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, whom he said he believed should succeed Mnangagwa. He accused the President of seeking to extend his time in office beyond constitutionally stipulated limits, an allegation the government has rejected.

He ended his final message by urging citizens not to lose hope and by calling for unity and resolve.

“Your struggles are my struggles. Together, we can forge a brighter path. I see in you the fire and fury of a people determined to rise.

“Do not let fear engulf you; let it fuel your resolve.

“Imagine a Zimbabwe where every child can dream, where every parent can work with dignity, and where our resources are shared equally,” Geza stated.