A faction of war veterans demanding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation says they remain committed to organising mass protests despite a police crackdown forcing their leaders into hiding.
The group’s spokesman Knox Chivero released a video Sunday night from an undisclosed location, claiming authorities had dispatched assassination teams targeting their leader Blessed Geza, who police declared wanted for undermining presidential authority and inciting public violence.
“Let me assure you that the liberating signal from Cde Geza is coming, very soon,” Chivero said in the darkened video shot beside a window. He provided no details on Geza’s whereabouts but emphasized their protest plans required careful preparation.
“Organisation and sufficient managerial competence to manage the public is essential. It means the planning and the execution and the management of the aftermath must be very meticulous,” Chivero stated.
The spokesman alleged Mnangagwa had deployed specialized units, including “hit squads and ferret teams specially trained in Belarus,” with orders to kill rather than arrest their leaders. He claimed these operatives had infiltrated regular police departments.
Geza, previously seen as loyal to the mainstream Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, shocked many last month by recording videos calling for Mnangagwa’s resignation. His group accuses the president of economic mismanagement and attempting to establish a family dynasty.
The conflict emerges amid growing tensions within the ruling Zanu PF party over efforts by Mnangagwa supporters to eliminate term limits. This move would allow him to remain in power beyond his scheduled 2028 term end – an initiative opposed by supporters of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and opposition parties.
Police have extended their crackdown to media coverage of the dissident war veterans. Journalist Blessed Mhlanga was arrested and denied bail last week on charges of inciting violence for allegedly publishing Geza’s videos on HStv, an Alpha Media Holdings platform.