A national protest aimed at resigning to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa turned into a shutdown as citizens chose to leave rather than take to the streets in a serious security presence.
Only a few protesters participated in the planned march, led by a group of discontented war veterans who accused Manangaguwa of corruption and wanted to hold on to power, and the police were dispersed by the police.
After reports of low turnout, protest leaders blessed Geza urging Zimbabweans to “don’t coward” in their post on X.
Mnangagwa became president in 2017 and is currently in his second and final term in office after a coup against long-time leader Robert Mugabe.
In the video shared on social media, police officers can be seen using tear gas to disperse crowds gathered in Harare President Robert Mugabe Square.
In another clip, a woman details police efforts to cut what is seen as a “peaceful protest” because she vows “we won’t go anywhere, we will stay here.”
In another, a small group of protesters can be heard chanting: “We don’t want the 2030 Agenda” – referring to the decision made by the ruling Zanu-PF party that allows Mnangagwa to extend its term.
“I’m 63 years old and life is hard…I’m taking care of my grandchildren because my kids can’t afford it,” protesters at the cane told local media House Citizen Voice Network.
“We want to be a normal one [Constantine] Chiwenga takes over. ” she added.
But businesses and schools have chosen to close in various cities and towns, while public transport remains seldom after warning that no protest will be tolerated.
At the heart of the recent protests is a reported extension of the last term to 2030. Mnangagwa’s second term will expire in 2028.
Although Zimbabwe’s constitution limits the presidency to two five-year terms, his supporters have also shared the slogan “He remains a leader in 2030”.
Although the president recently promised his intention to resign within three years, many still don’t believe it.
This angered Geza, a veteran of the 1970s Liberation War, and also irritated former senior Zanu-PF members, who led the verbal attack on Mnangagwa.
On a series of often-choosy press conferences, he repeatedly called on the 82-year-old president to remove or face to face.
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