Zimbabwe shuts down amid protests

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A national protest aimed at resigning to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa turned into a shutdown as citizens chose to leave rather than take to the streets in a serious security presence.

Only a few protesters participated in the planned march, led by a group of discontented war veterans who accused Manangaguwa of corruption and wanted to hold on to power, and the police were dispersed by the police.

After reports of low turnout, protest leaders blessed Geza urging Zimbabweans to “don’t coward” in their post on X.

Mnangagwa became president in 2017 and is currently in his second and final term in office after a coup against long-time leader Robert Mugabe.

Geza hopes Vice President Constantine Chiwenga to replace Mnangagwa, who had asked Zimbabweans to “fill the streets” with the final push to force the president to resign.

Many videos were shared on social media throughout the day, and on the one hand, police officers can be seen using tear gas to disperse the crowds gathered in Harare President Robert Mugabe Square.

In another woman, one woman details the police efforts to cut what is seen as a “peaceful protest” because she vowed “we won’t go anywhere, we will stay here.”

“I’m 63 years old and life is hard…I’m taking care of my grandson because my kids can’t afford it.” The protester of the cane also told the local media House Citizen Voice Network.

“We want to be a normal one [Constantine] Chiwenga takes over. ” she added.

Zimbabweans are largely away from protests aimed at overthrowing President Emerson Manangagwa [AFP]

The vice president has yet to comment publicly, asking him to replace Mnangagwa’s call, while government officials denied a rift between the two.

In response to Monday’s low turnout, Farai Murapira of Zanu-PF party said social media is not a reflection of reality.

But political scientist Ibbo Mandaza said those who devalue turnout are wrong.

“The shutdown is a huge political statement,” he said.

In various towns, most businesses were closed and the streets were emptied with the hustle and bustle of street vendors and traffic jams. Schools are closed and public transport is scarce as fearful residents choose to avoid chaos.

Police have strengthened safety throughout the day, incorporated barricades into Harare and hiked on foot in the city center for patrols and trucks. They were also seen removing the stones and being thrown by the protesters.

Since then, clergy in the country has called for cool minds as it warns that unrest may destroy an already vulnerable country.

The waiter at the petrol station told the BBC in a quiet voice that ordinary people did not want the country to slide into the civil war.

At the heart of the recent protests is a report by the president to extend the last term to 2030. Mnangagwa’s second term will expire in 2028.

Although Zimbabwe’s constitution limits the presidency to two five-year terms, his supporters have also shared the slogan “He remains a leader in 2030”.

Although the president recently promised his intention to resign within three years, many still don’t believe it.

This angered Geza, a veteran of the 1970s Liberation War, and also irritated former senior Zanu-PF members, who led the verbal attack on Mnangagwa.

On a series of often-choosy press conferences, he repeatedly called on the 82-year-old president to remove or face to face.