By Crime and Courts Reporter-The police have arrested 98 people over the March 31 protest organized by war veteran Blessed Geza, in what appears to be a heavy-handed response to growing dissent against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule.
The mass arrests come amid rising concerns over police brutality and Mnangagwa’s deep-seated fear of another military-led ouster similar to the 2017 coup that brought him to power.
The 98 arrested protesters appeared in court on Tuesday, charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence after allegedly taking part in the anti-government demonstration.
Of the group, 95 appeared before provincial magistrate Isheunesu Matova, who remanded them to April 10 for a bail ruling, while the remaining three appeared before provincial magistrate Ruth Moyo, who set their bail ruling and trial for April 4.
The trio was apprehended at Copacabana bus terminus, while the majority were arrested at Freedom Square, an open space near the Rainbow Towers Hotel.
Prosecutors have strongly opposed bail.
Lawyers representing the 95 accused will submit written bail arguments, with the court expected to deliver its verdict next week.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the demonstrators gathered at Freedom Square at around 9:20 AM, intending to march into Harare’s streets.
The state alleges they also planned to proceed to State House to “forcibly remove the constitutionally elected President Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
The NPA claims: “The accused were making their vows of removing the president, saying ‘enough is enough, Mnangagwa must go, ED must go nezvigananda zvake. Madzibaba Veshanduko huyai mutitungamirire, Comrade Geza huyai mutitungamirire,’ and whistled.”
The prosecution further alleges that police officers deployed for crowd control observed around 200 demonstrators gathering and moved to disperse them.
The demonstrators allegedly retaliated by throwing stones, bricks, and tyres along Robert Mugabe Road, targeting law enforcement officers while chanting: “Hatidi zvekupihwa order nemasasikamu.”Some reportedly took pictures and videos, which they later shared on social media.
Authorities claim that 94 of the accused were arrested at the scene, while the 95th was apprehended at his residence after being identified in circulating images and videos.
Monday saw an extensive police deployment in Harare and other cities, effectively suppressing planned mass protests against Mnangagwa’s rumored attempts to extend his rule beyond the constitutionally mandated limit.
Zanu PF announced in January that it sought to push for a constitutional amendment allowing Mnangagwa to extend his term by two more years until 2030, a move that has sparked widespread outrage.
Mnangagwa, now 82, has grown increasingly wary of his former allies, particularly war veterans who once championed his rise to power but are now openly opposing his leadership.
Blessed Geza and his faction of independence war veterans have turned against Mnangagwa, accusing him of betraying the liberation ideals and seeking to cling to power indefinitely.
The government’s response to the March 31 protests reflects its broader strategy of dealing with dissent—through intimidation, mass arrests, and excessive use of force.
Zimbabwe’s security forces have a long history of violently suppressing opposition protests, often using arbitrary detentions, beatings, and even torture to silence critics.
Since taking power in 2017, Mnangagwa has relied heavily on the military and police to consolidate his rule.
However, with growing divisions within Zanu PF and increasing dissatisfaction within the security forces, his grip on power appears more precarious than ever.
The heavy crackdown on protesters, particularly war veterans, underscores Mnangagwa’s anxiety over potential internal rebellion, especially given the military’s decisive role in Zimbabwean politics.