28 March 2025 | Harare

By Farai D Hove | ZimEye | In what is being described as a politically motivated act of terror, the home of prominent anti-corruption war veteran Blessed Geza was petrol-bombed late last night by unknown assailants, marking a dangerous escalation in Zimbabwe’s rapidly deteriorating political climate.

Images shared early this morning show Geza’s house severely burned, with visible charring across walls, destroyed roofing, and debris scattered across the property. WhatsApp messages circulating since dawn confirm the incident occurred under the cover of darkness, with witnesses reporting gunfire, wire-cutting tools, and petrol bombs thrown into the home.

“Imba yaGeza yarohwa manheru — iii yatove hondo iyi, guys,” reads one message.

(Geza’s house was attacked last night — this is now war, guys.)

Another message adds:

“Vangoridzirwa pfuti… vakanda ma petrol bomb mumba… vaita wire yekucheka,”

(They were shot at… petrol bombs were thrown into the house… the attackers cut wire fencing.)

No injuries have been reported, but occupants of the property reportedly fled for their lives as flames engulfed the building. The attack comes just three days before the 31 March demonstrations — a mass action being organized to demand President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation following widespread public anger over constitutional violations and elite impunity.

Why Geza?

Blessed Geza is no ordinary citizen. A respected liberation war veteran, he has in recent years become an outspoken anti-corruption crusader, known for exposing state-linked scandals and criticizing both government excess and military interference in civilian affairs. He has drawn the ire of ZANU-PF elites and shadowy state actors by calling out top-level abuses — particularly within the security sector.

Analysts say the attack on his home is no coincidence, coming just days after the unconstitutional sacking of General Anselem Sanyatwe and amid suspicions that a purge is underway targeting dissenting voices within both the military and veteran community.

“This is a clear message. They are warning anyone who speaks out,” said one veteran who requested anonymity. “But Geza is a fighter. They’ve only made him stronger.”

State of Fear: From Crisis to Open Conflict?

The symbolic and physical assault on Geza’s home underscores a broader fear gripping the nation — that rule of law has collapsed, and targeted political violence is escalating in the face of a citizen movement demanding justice.

Just this week, President Mnangagwa was accused of breaching the Constitution by illegally removing General Sanyatwe from command and appointing him to a civilian Cabinet post, in what many see as a panic move to protect himself from arrest or prosecution. Now, activists and whistleblowers like Geza appear to be paying the price for standing in the regime’s way.

“Yatova hondo iyi,” one message repeated across dozens of groups warns.

(This is now war.)

What Next?

No arrests have been made, and police have not issued a statement on the attack. Civil society groups and war veterans’ associations are demanding an urgent investigation, though many doubt whether state institutions can be trusted to deliver impartial justice.

As the 31 March deadline approaches, the attack on Blessed Geza is likely to galvanize public sentiment — not silence it. What was meant to send a warning may now spark a new wave of resistance.

Geza, who has not yet spoken publicly about the incident, is expected to release a statement later today.

This is a developing story.

War Veteran Blessed Geza’s Home Petrol-Bombed in Midnight Attack

Harare, Zimbabwe – In a brazen late-night attack, the home of Blessed Geza, a prominent war veteran and anti-corruption crusader, was petrol-bombed in the early hours of March 27, 2025. Multiple petrol bombs ignited the residence, causing extensive fire damage but fortunately no injuries. The incident – which witnesses describe as a coordinated assault under cover of darkness – has sent shockwaves through a nation already on edge amid political turmoil.

Gunfire, Flames and a Narrow Escape

Neighbors were jolted awake by the sound of gunfire and explosions as armed assailants descended on Geza’s property around midnight. “We woke up to gunshots and saw flames engulfing part of the house,” said one eyewitness in a WhatsApp message describing the chaotic scene. “They cut through the wire fence and started shooting, then threw petrol bombs into the house. It was terrifying, but thankfully no one was hurt.”

Another message from a person at the scene confirmed that Geza and his family escaped unharmed. “No casualties, but the house is badly damaged,” the message read, noting that walls were blackened and windows shattered by the blasts. Photos shared in community groups showed the charred remains of furniture and soot-stained walls – grim evidence of how quickly the firebombs turned parts of the home into an inferno.

Targeted for His Anti-Corruption Stance

Blessed Geza – a liberation war veteran and once a ZANU-PF insider – has become one of the government’s most outspoken critics. In recent days, he publicly accused top officials of looting state resources and demanded accountability at the highest levels . Geza has also called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation over rampant corruption and economic mismanagement, urging citizens to join nationwide protests on March 31 against the regime . This fiery anti-corruption crusade – which included naming several powerful businessmen and ministers as “criminals around Mnangagwa” – is widely believed to have made him a marked man .

While no group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, suspicion immediately fell on political actors angered by Geza’s crusade. Associates of Geza termed the attack an “assassination attempt in all but name,” pointing out that it occurred just hours after he vowed to intensify pressure on corrupt officials. “This was not a random crime – it was a message,” said a fellow war veteran aligned with Geza. “They want to silence him.” The attack’s deliberate nature, timing, and target suggest a retaliatory political hit, observers say, rather than an ordinary crime or accident.

Escalating Tensions Amid Leadership Struggle

The firebombing comes at a time of surging tensions in Zimbabwe’s political landscape. Only days ago, President Mnangagwa ignited controversy by unilaterally firing Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe, the commander of the army, in what analysts called an attempt to coup-proof his regime . Sanyatwe’s abrupt removal – seen by many as unconstitutional – angered factions within the security services and emboldened veterans like Geza who view it as part of Mnangagwa’s power-consolidation drive.

Meanwhile, war veterans and opposition activists are mobilizing for mass demonstrations on March 31 to demand Mnangagwa’s departure, accusing him of driving Zimbabwe deeper into economic crisis and authoritarian rule . Geza has been a central figure in rallying these protests, saying that “people of action” will not back down until leadership changes occur. The government, for its part, has launched a heavy crackdown – cancelling police leave, increasing roadblocks, and denouncing Geza and his allies as traitorous agitators .

Within this combustible environment, the attack on Geza’s home is being viewed as a flashpoint. It occurred amid a spate of politically-motivated incidents: in the past week, homes and properties linked to supporters of both Mnangagwa and his rivals have been attacked with arson and vandalism, reflecting an ominous tit-for-tat pattern . Just last week, Geza’s rural farm in Sanyati was raided by armed men who stormed the property and vandalized buildings, hunting for his whereabouts and forcing his employees to flee into the night . The escalation from that incident to a full-fledged petrol bombing in the capital signals that the battle between rival camps has entered a dangerous new phase.

Chilling Message to Dissenters

This brazen attack on a high-profile anti-corruption figure is raising alarm about the breakdown of security and rule of law in Zimbabwe. If political figures and war veterans can be attacked in their homes with impunity, analysts warn, no one who speaks out is truly safe. War veteran Knox Chivero even claims “death squads” are now hunting down those who oppose Mnangagwa’s rule . “It’s a warning to all of us,” said one opposition supporter, reacting to news of the bombing. “If they can do this to Cde Geza, they can do it to anyone who challenges the system.”

Rights groups and observers note that the use of petrol bombs and live ammunition in a residential neighborhood demonstrates a new level of lawlessness. The attack was carried out with military-style precision – cutting perimeter fences, coordinated gunfire, and a swift escape into the night – suggesting the perpetrators were no ordinary criminals. Police have not announced any arrests or suspects so far, fueling public perception that powerful forces might be protecting those responsible .

As Zimbabweans wake up to images of Blessed Geza’s scorched home, there is palpable anger and fear in the air. Many see the bombing as a blunt attempt to intimidate government critics ahead of the March 31 protests. It underscores what opposition figures are calling a “reign of terror” meant to shore up Mnangagwa’s hold on power.

Geza himself has remained defiant. He had not fully commented at the time of writing, but relatives spoke to ZimEye over the incident.

With the clock ticking down to the planned demonstrations, Zimbabwe’s political crisis appears to be entering uncharted territory. The overnight petrol bombing of Blessed Geza’s home has not only highlighted the personal risks faced by dissenters, but also sounded an alarm bell about the lengths to which elements of the embattled regime – or its rivals – may go. In a country scarred by past political violence, this incident is a stark reminder that the struggle over Zimbabwe’s future is spilling dangerously into the streets and doorsteps of its citizens.