Police in manhunt for Mnangagwa attack war veteran; accuse him of theft, inciting public violence

By Political Correspondent

Zimbabwe police have launched a manhunt for war veteran Blessed Geza Runesu who has repeatedly demanded that President Emmerson Mnangagwa resigns, accusing the Zanu PF leader of corruption and incompetence.

In a statement Wednesday, the ZRP said it was seeking information “on the location” of “suspect Blessed Geza Runesu, alias Bombshell”.

According to the statement, Geza is four counts of criminal charges, including “incitement to public violence” as well as “undermining the authority of or insulting the President”

In addition Geza also faces theft charges, with the ZRP claiming that he “stole and disposed (of) three vehicles belonging to a complainant without his consent”.

ZRP spokesperson Paul Nyathi warned that “anyone whom is harbouring the suspect or assisting him to evade police questioning will be equally liable for arrest and subsequent prosecution”.

Geza, a senior member of the ruling Zanu PF party, has, in recent days, been holding no-holds barred media briefings demanding the resignation of President Mnangagwa.

At one of the briefings, he told Mnangagwa that “we are prepared to face you head on” “things have deteriorated … and it would be irresponsible for us to remain silent, or to not act”.

Geza said he regretted having been “one of the people who worked hard and invested a lot of personal resources” to oust former, and now late, President Robert Mugabe from power.

“I’m deeply sorry and, with hindsight, I regret this; we replaced Mugabe with a monster a korokoza (gold panner) … Mnangagwa (has) escalated corruption, forgot the people and remembered only his family.

“Mnangagwa has also surrendered State power to his wife and children … we are sadly seeing history repeating itself and we can’t allow that to happen”.

His Mashonaland West province has since recommended his expulsion from Zanu PF, but the ruling party’s national disciplinary system has yet to act on the decision.

Responding, a defiant Geza said, “I received information that I’ve been expelled from Zanu PF.

“Well, I declare that I’m still Zanu PF and remain Zanu PF to the core. This is what I was waiting for—the real drama now will unfold against Emmerson’s machinations. We’ll occupy the State House against all odds.”