Zimbabwean authorities have arrested 95 individuals on charges of promoting public violence following protests calling for president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation.
The protests, organized by former ZANU-PF member Blessed Geza, took place on Monday (31 March) in Harare’s Freedom Square, where demonstrators chanted “Mnangagwa Must Go” and clashed with police, throwing stones and briefly blocking roads. The demonstrations were sparked by growing tensions within the ruling ZANU-PF party, with factions opposing plans to extend the 82-year-old’s rule beyond 2028. Security forces swiftly contained the protests, with heavy police presence across Harare and other major cities. In response, many businesses and schools closed in what observers described as a “stay-away” protest.
Geza, a former liberation war hero, has called for Mnangagwa’s immediate resignation over alleged corruption and his attempts to prolong his presidency. Although he has been forced into hiding by authorities, Geza praised his supporters for their participation in the protests, vowing to continue efforts to challenge the government. The Zimbabwean government has condemned the protests, calling them part of a “terrorist” plot fueled by external actors. The arrest of opposition leaders like Geza, along with ongoing factional disputes within the ruling party, reflects deepening political instability in the country, particularly as Mnangagwa’s administration faces mounting calls for change at the top.