Michelle Masanga
GWERU – Banks and large supermarkets in Gweru opened promptly at 8AM on Tuesday, the first day of an indefinite “stay-away” called by Blessed Geza, the leader of a faction of war veterans demanding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation.
Commuter omnibuses and long-distance bus services disgorged workers at drop off points in the city as the stay-away call appeared to have gone unheeded.
Geza’s previous call for protests on March 31 shut down the country, and authorities had feared a repeat. The Public Service Commission, which employs all civil servants, threatened tough action on public sector workers who failed to report for duty and police were deployed countrywide to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
Some shops were however slow to open but by 0900hrs, activity in the CBD had improved.
There were also police roadblocks at all entry points to town doing routine searches.
In a 10AM update on Monday, national police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The ZRP informs the public that the security situation in the country is peaceful. The public is commended for the smooth flow of traffic and cooperation with the police in maintaining law and order.”
Geza accuses President Mnangagwa of mismanaging the country and facilitating industrial scale corruption.
Recently, he claimed the 82-year-old Zanu PF leader suffers from vascular dementia and that unelected associates of his were now making executive decisions in his name.
The war veteran who was recently expelled from Zanu PF has outstanding police warrant after authorities charged him with treason.
He is believed to have skipped the country.
