Zimbabwe experienced a “shutdown” on Monday, March 31, as people stayed away from cities, following a call for demonstrations by Blessed Geza, a former member of the ZANU PF party.
Most businesses in major cities like Harare were closed, the streets were empty, and schoolchildren stayed home. However, rural areas were not as affected.
There was a heavy police presence in urban areas, and clashes occurred in Harare when police used force to disperse protesters near the Harare Magistrates’ Court. The police fired tear gas to break up the crowd, causing protesters to scatter.
Speaking to NewsDay, political analyst Ibbo Mandaza said that the success of the stayaway sent a strong message to the government. Said Mandaza:
The massive stay away is a massive political statement by the masses of Zimbabwe. Those in power have reason to fear and likewise the leaders of the opposition who are now left behind, having failed and even abused the high expectations of Zimbabweans ready for change yesterday.
Former University of Zimbabwe lecturer Eldred Masunungure told NewsDay that although the organisers made a mistake by urging Zimbabweans to confront a “vicious” government ready to stop demonstrations, the fact that people ignored the government’s call to go about their daily activities was still a success for the organisers. He said:
It also remains clear that Zimbabweans are not ready to engage or confront the government forces like they used to in 2000.
It was also clear that there was no ultimate winner because the people stayed home, and staying away was also a statement from the ordinary people.
In another interview with the Associated Press, Masunungure said that Geza will have a hard time getting people to support him because they might see him as part of the ZANU PF party. He said:
Geza is the face of war veterans who are disillusioned with Mnangagwa. In a way, he is also filling the void left by the weak opposition.
But he will struggle to mobilise people to his cause because they may view him as part and parcel of ZANU PF, and they view this as an internal fight among former comrades.
Geza, also called Comrade Bombshell, has become popular, with tens of thousands of people watching his YouTube videos.
He has called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign, accusing him of corruption. The police have accused Geza of treason and say they are looking for him.
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