Jail for praising Geza. . . as ED pleads for unity amid March 31 tension

A MAN from Manicaland province has been languishing in prison for close to a month after he was arrested for allegedly praising expelled Zanu PF central committee member Blessed “Bombshell” Geza, who called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.

Alfred Ngonidzaishe Machakaire (34) from Gowo village under Chief Makoni in Makoni district has spent 24 days in both police cells and at Reshape Prison in Manicaland province following his arrest on February 24.

He was charged with undermining the authority of or insulting the President asdefined in section 33(2)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

According to prosecutors, Machakaire undermined Mnangagwa when he was involved in a verbal altercation with Leonard Chidemo, the ruling Zanu PF party councillor for ward 5 in Makoni North constituency.

The incident occurred when Machakaire was drinking beer at Mugadza Bottle Store at Runyange business centre in Chendambuya, where he allegedly asked Chidemo to buy him beer.

Chidemo reportedly told Machakaire that he did not have money to buy him beer.

It is said this did not go down well with Machakaire who became abusive.

The prosecution alleged that Machakaire, who is being represented by Leonard Chigadza of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, undermined Mnangagwa’s authority by uttering obscenities against the President.

He allegedly shouted: “You Chidemo, down with Mnangagwa. I am Geza. On the 31st [of March, the country will be fine.”

According to prosecutors, Machakaire acted unlawfully when he allegedly uttered the insulting words and also praised Geza, a veteran of the liberation war and a former Zanu PF central committee member, who was recently expelled from the ruling party.

Machakaire is one of several people, who have been arrested and prosecuted across Zimbabwe for allegedly undermining Mnangagwa’s authority.

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa yesterday called for unity and discipline in Zanu PF after the party’s youth league leader, John Paradza, warned that his brigade was ready to thwart the planned March 31 protests to force the country’s leader to step down.

Paradza said this during the launch of the Presidential Empowerment Youth Fund in Harare where Mnangagwa was the guest of honour.

The event was turned into a platform for denouncing Geza, who has rallied Zimbabweans to support anti-government protests.

Yesterday’s gathering, which was intended to showcase the ruling party’s commitment to youth empowerment, quickly became a stage for fiery speeches, slogans and songs against Geza.

Zanu PF youth provincial chairpersons chanted anti-Geza slogans during the event.

“Pasi naGeza (Down with Geza) . . . we don’t care about you. You were fired,” they chanted.

Geza issued a broadcast message on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) clad in military fatigue on Tuesday calling for nationwide demonstrations to force Mnangagwa to step down.

Geza was recently expelled from Zanu PF alongside several party members on various charges that included undermining the party leadership.

Paradza, a fierce Mnangagwa loyalist and Zanu PF deputy youth affairs secretary, sought to assure the President of plans to thwart the protest.

“We want to assure you President that there is no demonstration on March 31 as long as we are there as the youths,” he said.

“We have all these youths, we are all equal and we are not threatened by what we are seeing on social media.

“Geza should remember that it is Zanu PF which raised him.”

ICT minister Tatenda Mavetera, who has emerged as one of the cheerleaders of plans to extend Mnangagwa’s term of office from 2028 to 2030, pledged support to the President.

“Mnangagwa is the only one who can rule for now,” Mavetera said.

Mavetera is the leader of the Young Women for ED, which has been accused of singing and dancing while attacking Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga at the burial of former Deputy Chief secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Justin Mupamhanga, at the National Heroes Acre in January this year.

Chiwenga was presiding over the burial, where Mavetera and her gang declared that he would not rule this country.

Yesterday, Chiwenga did not attend the launch of the Presidential Empowerment Youth Fund.

In his address, Mnangagwa did not respond to Geza’s utterances calling on him to step down, he focused on the empowerment of youths.

“The US$2 million fund must not be taken as a free handout, but as a revolving fund that issues loans, which are paid back for the benefit of more people,” the President said.

“Transparency and integrity in administering projects is of uttermost importance and do not be found wanting.”

Mnangagwa, who also launched a further US$5 million Presidential Mining Equipment Scheme for the youth, called for unity and discipline in the ruling party.

“Discipline and unity of purpose among the rank and file of the youth remains the compass of Zanu PF and a nation that is a living testimony,” he said.

Geza accused the government of failing to address rampant corruption and economic challenges, which have left many Zimbabweans struggling to make ends meet.

Zanu PF has been left divided over controversial plans to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure.

Last October, the ruling party adopted a resolution to extend his term despite him repeatedly saying he intends to retire in 2028.

His loyalists are having none of it.

Reports indicate that Chiwenga is the frontrunner in Mnangagwa’s succession race. _*NewsDay*_