There is a saying that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. Such is the case of Zimbabwean President Emerson Mnangagwa, who came to power via a military coup in November 2017, when his longtime ally Robert Mugabe was ousted.
Since then, Mnangagwa has never been at the heart of the majority of Zimbabweans, and with the armed forces’ assistance, he has retained his office through dubious elections.
Of late, he seems to be worried about history repeating itself, as recently he replaced the head of the intelligence service, the chief of police, and the commander of the army.
Mnangagwa’s Failed Leadership
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership has always faced significant criticism and opposition from many Zimbabweans who view him as an enemy of the masses due to several key issues that he has failed as a leader.
Under Mnangagwa’s rule, nothing much has changed from his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, as his administration has violently cracked down on protests, with security forces killing and torturing opposition activists, journalists, and protesters.
The government has weaponised the law to silence dissent, using arrests, abductions, and intimidation against journalists like Hopewell Chin’ono and Blessing Mhlanga.
Despite assurances of economic recovery, Mnangagwa’s rule has left Zimbabwe’s economy in a state of crisis, with hyperinflation, corruption, and poor management rampant, with the elites loyal to Mnangagwa allegedly benefitting from state resources while the general populace suffers.
Mnangagwa deceived other war veterans who expected him to defend democratic values as a veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, instead solidifying elite corruption and despotism.
Despite ZANU-PF’s rhetoric, the government has not provided significant land reform or economic empowerment for regular Zimbabweans.
Is Geza A Saint or A Better Devil?
The rise of Blessed ‘Bombshell’ Geza in early March this year, brought hope to the general populace of Zimbabwe.
Geza, a liberation war hero and a former Central Intelligence Officer (CIO) has left many asking if he is a saint or a better devil, considering he was a Zanu PF member before being expelled following his political utterances against Mnangagwa’s government.
Given that he is part of their history of ruthlessly repressing political dissent, there is little reason to think that Blessed Geza and those around him are interested in enacting meaningful reform.
Instead, this faction would probably continue to rule in an approach similar to that of its predecessors, securing lucrative possibilities for the security and political elites while abandoning the rest of the populace to struggle and fear death if they speak out their opinions.
On March 31, 2025, Zimbabwe witnessed a significant demonstration led by Geza, fueled by widespread anger over economic collapse, political repression, and worsening living conditions.
In other areas the police force responded with brutal force to disperse crowds, leading to injuries and arrests.
According to an article published by Al Jazeera on the 1st of April 2025, “Zimbabwe police arrested 95 people on charges of promoting public violence for taking part in demonstrations that called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to leave office.”
Human rights organisations denounced the harsh response, which further revealed the regime’s intolerance for the opposition.
The events on March 31 drew attention to Zimbabwe’s worsening crisis and the critical need for economic and political reform.
Is the Church a Solution?
In Zimbabwe’s sociopolitical context, the church has always had a complicated role. Although it can help find solutions to the country’s challenges, it has a hard time being a driver for meaningful change.
With what has happened in the past week, many were left with more questions than answers when it comes to how the church can intervene in the affairs of the country’s affairs.
Prophet Eubert Angel’s spiritual father, Pastor Chris, announced to his congregants and called all Zimbabweans to pray and fast on Sunday for peace and unity, among other things.
Pastor Chris, in his message to Zimbabwe, was trying by all means to tell people not to participate in the March 31 protests, a move seen by many as a directive from Angel.
Pastor Angel knew if he was to announce that same message himself to Zimbabweans, they wouldn’t take him seriously as he had been named in corrupt activities, including playing a major role in the “Zimbabwe’s Gold mafias”.
Contrary to his messages since time immemorial, Apostle Andrew Wutaunashe made a dramatic turn over the weekend in his church service when he publicly announced his support for Blessed Geza and called people to rally behind him.
The church, if not captured by the state, can be a catalyst for change by mobilising citizens, exposing injustice, and offering humanitarian relief, but it alone cannot solve Zimbabwe’s crises.
In Zimbabwe, we require a combination of sustained mass protests, international pressure, legal challenges, and internal political shifts.
The church’s most powerful role may be in keeping the flame of resistance alive while providing hope to suffering Zimbabweans.
In conclusion, the majority of Zimbabweans see Mnangagwa as a continuation of Mugabe’s oppressive rule, but with even harsher tactics and worse economic outcomes.
The government under his rule prioritises political survival over the welfare of citizens, making him deeply unpopular among the masses.
Meanwhile, Blessed Mhlanga, the journalist who first interviewed Blessed “Bombshell” Geza, is still in remand prison on charges of transmitting a message that incites violence.
*The writer of this article is Zvakwana Nomore Sweto, an accomplished journalist and digital marketing professional with experience in news reporting, feature writing, and content creation. He is also a published author with four books to his name and a passion for storytelling to deliver impactful narratives. The views expressed by Zvakwana Nomore Sweto are not necessarily those of The Bulrushes
