Zimbabwe - March 2025

On 31 March, Zimbabweans participated in a national ‘stayaway’ that shut down schools, public transport and businesses across the country in the first mass protest since 2019. The stayaway was in response to calls for street protests against President Mnangagwa made by Blessed Geza, a former member of the ruling Zanu-PF party who is pushing for Mnangagwa to be replaced by his vice president, Constantino Chiwenga, citing corruption and economic mismanagement. However, most chose to stay away rather than take to the streets, amid a heightened police presence. The Zimbabwean police said they had arrested 95 protesters and local press reported that nine journalists were briefly detained. The stayaway took place against a backdrop of growing political tensions over attempts by some within Zanu-PF to extend Mnangagwa’s term beyond the constitutionally mandated limit.     

Sources: British Broadcasting Corporation (1), The Africa Report, British Broadcasting Corporation (2), New Zimbabwe, Africa Confidential