Zimbabweans Ignore Geza’s Calls for Mass Stay-Away

ZimNow Reporter

Calls by war veteran Blessed Geza for Zimbabweans to stage a mass stay-away on April 22 have been largely ignored, as most formal and informal workers opted to go about their business as usual.

The police have issued a statement saying the security situation in the country is peaceful and commending the public “for the smooth flow of traffic and cooperation with the police in maintaining law and order in the country."

The nationwide shutdown— aimed at protesting economic hardships and alleged government corruption — failed to gain traction amid a cocktail of public apathy and growing skepticism toward Geza himself.

Geza, who has reportedly been in hiding in South Africa, took to social media in the days leading up to the proposed protest, urging Zimbabweans to “shut down the system.”

This comes after Geza’s March 31 calls for demos in all urban areas resulted in a mass stayaway as people feared being caught in crossfire between rioting thugs and security forces.

Many citizens on social media expressed reluctance to participate, citing past experiences where peaceful protests were hijacked by violent elements, often followed by a swift and sometimes brutal response from security forces.

Several people going about their business in Harare who spoke to ZimNow off camera said they are not interested in Geza’s social media calls.

“Every time there’s a protest, it’s us, the ordinary people, who suffer,” said one Harare vendor who chose to remain anonymous.

“They loot, burn things, and then we get arrested or beaten. Meanwhile, these so-called leaders are watching safely from outside the country.”

Geza’s call was further undermined by a resurfaced viral video in which he openly stated that he wanted to be appointed a minister in order to access the eating trough.

“He’s not serious,” said a university student. “He just wants fame. People have real problems, and we can’t afford to follow someone who speaks jokes about our lives.”

The student was referring to a statement credited to Geza saying that people would be given free food in shops during the indefinite stay-away.

A civil servant said that the statement issued by the Public Service Commission calling on workers to report for duty was clear and no one would risk their job over Geza’s calls.

Adding to Geza’s growing fall from grace is his silence on the plight of journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who remains in remand prison over the interview that catapulted Geza to prominence.

Critics say Geza has done little to advocate for Mhlanga’s release, leading many to view him as opportunistic and self-serving.

While Geza attempted to pivot from street protest to mass stay-away — a tactic historically used in Zimbabwe to express dissent without risking violence — the strategy appears to have backfired.

Just as March 31 came and went, this latest call for an indefinite stay-away is just another day in Zimbabwe’s grinding routine — with Geza’s calls echoing largely into silence.