News24 | Zimbabwe police ban citizens from carrying weapons as protest against Mnangagwa looms

Zimbabwean police banned weapons ahead of a planned protest to force President Emmerson Mnangagwa out of office. (Amanuel Sileshi / AFP)

• Harare police have issued an order prohibiting the carrying of weapons in and around the capital city of Zimbabwe.
• This comes as pressure mounts for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down from office.
• Expelled Zanu-PF leader Blessed Geza has called for citizens to take to the streets on 31 March.

In anticipation of the looming protest to force Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa to leave office, the police have issued an order prohibiting people from carrying weapons that may disrupt "public order" or "breach peace".

On Wednesday night, Zimbabwe's police chief superintendent, Michael Masvivi of Harare Central District, issued the order.

The order bans people from carrying the following weapons: catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives or daggers.

"Any traditional weapons, whatsoever likely to occasion public disorder or breach of the peace, hereby issue an order prohibiting the carrying of such weapons in Harare district or any part therefore for a period not exceeding two months that is from 27 March 2025 to 31 May 2025."

The order further reads: "For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared that in terms of Section 13 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act chapter 11:23, any person who fails to comply with such a prohibition shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 or imprisonment for six months or both such fine and imprisonment."

READ | 'Continue barking,' says defiant Mnangagwa as critics call for an uprising to oust Zim president

The order comes as pressure is mounting for Mnangagwa to step down, and citizens have been urged to take to the streets on 31 March to mount an uprising to force him out.

In an address on Wednesday evening on social media X, Zanu-PF member Blessed Geza said the protest is going ahead and that Mnangagwa will be removed.

Geza has called for the protest, claiming that Mnangagwa has failed to run the country.

But the president's close allies want him to stay on until 2030, beyond his 2028 two-term limit.

For his part, Mnangagwa seems unbothered by the calls for him to step down.

On Thursday, News24 reported that a defiant Mnangagwa told party members at a session of the Zanu-PF politburo - the party's highest decision-making body - that he would continue ruling and that his detractors could "continue barking".

During his address from his hiding place on Wednesday night, Geza said Zimbabweans, especially young people, are suffering and are not enjoying the fruits of the liberation.

He said:

"Today, I won't say much because you will say, 'Comrade Bombshell talks too much without action.' So, let's wait for action. I want to see action, and you will enjoy it."

"It's so painful to us as the liberation struggle war veterans. Young people are even telling us to take the country back to colonialists because they are not enjoying the fruits of independence, all because of these political criminals who are causing chaos in the country."

Geza added that during their operation to restore the country to normalcy, they would first deal with the "political criminals" surrounding Mnangagwa.

"So we are saying, Emmerson Mnangagwa, we are coming for you on 31 March. We are dealing with all other political criminals starting now," added Geza.

READ | Zimbabwe police on high alert ahead of planned protest against Mnangagwa on Monday

Political analyst Precious Shumba said Geza is sending a strong message to the corrupt political and business people surrounding the president who are looting the country's resources.

"What he has successfully done is to identify the pressure points on the ruling party. He deliberately gave out that list [of Mnangagwa's allies] to convey that they were fully informed about the criminal nature of the people around the president.

"We will see the increased pressure on the individuals mentioned to do things right. The idea of mentioning those people [is deliberate] so that the citizens will be provoked to take action."