Zimbabwe was brought to a standstill on Monday as a planned national protest against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership turned into a widespread shutdown. The protest, aimed at pressuring Mnangagwa to step down, was met with heavy police and military presence, deterring citizens from gathering in the streets.
Despite calls from opposition leader Blessed Geza for Zimbabweans to “fill the streets,” only a small number of demonstrators, including disgruntled war veterans accusing Mnangagwa of corruption and clinging to power, were present. Police quickly dispersed the crowd using tear gas at President Robert Mugabe Square in Harare.
In a video shared on social media, a determined woman defiantly declared, “We’re not going anywhere; we’re going to stay here.” Another protester, a 63-year-old grandmother on crutches, described her hardships, stating, “I am taking care of my grandchildren because my children cannot afford to.”
Geza, a vocal critic of the president and former Zanu-PF member, has repeatedly demanded Vice-President Constantine Chiwenga replace Mnangagwa. The vice-president has not publicly addressed the calls, and government officials deny any rift between the two leaders.
Across the country, businesses shuttered, streets emptied, and public transport ground to a halt as citizens opted to stay home. Schools closed, and security forces mounted roadblocks and patrols, removing debris left by protesters.
Political analyst Ibbo Mandaza dismissed claims that the low turnout reflected a lack of support, asserting, “The shutdown was a massive political statement.”
Farai Murapira, a spokesperson for the ruling Zanu-PF party, downplayed the impact, claiming social media misrepresented reality.
The protests were sparked by reports that Mnangagwa plans to extend his final term by two years to 2030, despite the constitution’s two-term limit. The slogan “2030 he will still be the leader” has gained traction among his supporters.
Although Mnangagwa recently pledged to step down in 2028, skepticism remains. Geza, a war veteran of the 1970s liberation struggle, has delivered fiery, expletive-laden speeches calling for the 82-year-old president’s resignation.
Zimbabwe’s clergy has urged restraint, warning that unrest could destabilize the already fragile nation. A petrol station attendant told the BBC, “Ordinary people don’t want the country to slide into civil war.”
As tensions simmer, Zimbabwe faces a defining moment in its political future, with questions mounting over Mnangagwa’s intentions and the country’s path forward.
