In a heated political landscape, Zimbabwe’s controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has jumped to the defence of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, amid a flurry of threats from disgruntled war veteran Blessed ‘Bombshell’ Runesu Geza. The threats come as Geza and his cronies prepare for planned nationwide protests, seeking to oust Mnangagwa, whom they accuse of leading a corrupt government.
The threats of protests have placed the government in a defensive posture, leading to the deployment of law enforcement agencies to prevent potential uprisings. Chivayo, known for his close ties to the Zanu PF party, did not hold back in his criticism of Geza, stating that the former liberation war combatant has lost his political relevance and should not be taken seriously.”Zimbabwe is a peaceful nation, known for its educated and responsible citizens, most of whom carry Christian values and are law-abiding,” Chivayo declared in a social media post.
“The reckless call for an illegal uprising and incitement to violence is totally unZimbabwean and must be rejected by every peace-loving citizen.”
He further lambasted Geza, describing him as a “useless, failed politician” and a fugitive from justice, accusing him of provoking instability from self-imposed exile.The tensions have spiralled as Chivayo became one of the targets of Geza’s threats, driven primarily by accusations that he has benefited from corruption tied to government contracts. Chivayo’s name appeared in connection with a controversial US$100 million tender awarded to his company by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to supply materials for the 2023 general elections—a deal that has drawn public scrutiny.
Recently, incidents of arson targeting vehicles associated with Chivayo and fellow businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei have escalated anxieties surrounding the brewing conflict. Chivayo decried the planned protests, equating them to an act of terrorism against the government, stating, “No serious, patriotic Zimbabwean should entertain this.” He urged citizens to remain calm and continue with their lives, dismissing the protests as calls from “anarchists.”
Ominously, beneath the surface of these threats lies an intensifying power struggle within Zanu PF itself. At a recent Central Committee meeting, Mnangagwa sternly warned party members who support Geza, indicating that the internal fissures may be contributing to the instability.In a bid to restore order and assert his leadership, Chivayo emphatically reiterated that any party members aspiring to leadership should allow Mnangagwa to complete his term, which ends in 2028.
“If anyone has ambitions, they must respect party processes and wait for the next congress,” he asserted. As the political climate grows increasingly volatile, many Zimbabweans are left grappling with the implications.