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By Munacho Gwamanda- The Government has directed security forces to increase their presence in Harare’s Central Business District (CBD) and crush any individuals suspected to be part of today’s planned national shutdown.
The directive comes in response to growing public discontent fueled by war veteran Blessed Geza, whose recent scathing remarks against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration have galvanized opposition supporters.
Geza has been vocal in calling for mass protests against Mnangagwa’s leadership, citing economic mismanagement, rampant corruption, and a worsening human rights record.
His latest outburst, which went viral on social media, directly accused the ruling Zanu PF of presiding over a dictatorship and called on Zimbabweans to reclaim their country through peaceful demonstrations.
Amid fears of widespread unrest, the state took a drastic step on Sunday, recalling security personnel from leave at the eleventh hour and ordering them to report for duty “immediately.”
Soldiers who spoke to NewsDay yesterday revealed that they had been given strict instructions to report for duty by 9 AM at the latest after receiving recall notices via phone calls.
Sources further disclosed that security forces had been placed on “100% standby for a five-minute move.”
“This means that everyone will be on duty and ready to react within five minutes if there is a call,” a source said. “Several officers who were on leave were called back and ordered to report for duty. Some had ignored previous calls made about a fortnight ago, but today (yesterday), everyone has been directed to cut short their leave and return to their posts.”
Government’s heavy-handed response signals its determination to suppress any form of dissent, as authorities remain wary of growing opposition sentiment.
Previous protests have been met with brutal crackdowns, and today’s demonstrations are expected to be no different.
Despite the intimidation tactics, opposition activists insist they will proceed with the demonstrations, accusing Mnangagwa’s government of using state machinery to silence dissent.
The coming hours will reveal whether the security clampdown will deter protestors or embolden them further in their defiance.