Has War Veteran Blessed Runesu Geza Died?

War veteran Blessed Runesu Geza, also known as Comrade Bombshell, has reportedly died, according to several reports.

Geza rose to prominence in 2024 after openly criticising President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accusing him of corruption, treason, nepotism and betraying the ideals of the liberation struggle. Since then, he had been in hiding for more than a year.

NewZimbabwe.com quoted a source saying Geza had died after battling a long-term illness.

He is believed to have gone into self-imposed exile in South Africa after police attempted to arrest him over calls for mass protests demanding Mnangagwa’s resignation.

So far, other high-profile opposition figures living in exile, including Saviour Kasukuwere and Jonathan Moyo, have not commented on the reports of Geza’s death.

Earlier on Friday, Geza had written a letter to Zimbabweans in which he said that he was dying, fuelling further speculation about his condition. Wrote Geza:

“In these final moments, I want you to carry my message in your hearts: you are not alone….

“Even as I prepare to leave this world, I do so with the conviction that our struggle continues.”

After Geza disappeared from public view, his wife, Roseline Tawengwa, was detained and questioned for several hours, while his home in Sanyati was petrol-bombed.

He later took to social media to call for nationwide strikes to force Mnangagwa out of office. The protests, however, quickly lost momentum after the government deployed security forces and dozens of people were arrested.

ZANU PF activists have accused Geza of undermining his liberation credentials by openly attacking Mnangagwa, a move that led to his dismissal from the party’s Central Committee.

As a result, Geza may not be granted liberation hero status. If he was indeed living in exile, further questions are also likely to arise over where he would be buried.

For now, there has been no official confirmation of Geza’s reported death, although a message he shared on Friday morning appeared to be a farewell.

“As I speak to you now, I feel my energy sapping; I might not be here tomorrow…”

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