OUTSPOKEN Zanu PF Central Committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza was expelled from the ruling party yesterday over allegations of indiscipline.
Geza’s dismissal follows his public call last month for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down, citing corruption and mismanagement.
His remarks were seen as a direct challenge to elements within Zanu PF pushing for Mnangagwa’s term to be extended to 2030.
Mnangagwa has consistently stated that he has no intention of extending his rule beyond his current constitutional term, which ends in 2028.
Two weeks ago, police launched a manhunt for Geza, accusing him of undermining Mnangagwa’s authority and inciting public violence.
His expulsion was confirmed following a Zanu PF Politburo meeting on Wednesday, where the party’s national disciplinary committee (NDC) recommendation to dismiss him was endorsed. Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri chairs the NDC.
Addressing a press conference at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare, the ruling party’s secretary for legal affairs, Patrick Chinamasa, said Geza’s statements amounted to treason and violated party principles.
“The first matter that we decided was Blessed Geza. I think all of you are aware of the utterances by Comrade Geza, which sought to undermine the party leadership,” Chinamasa said.
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“What is clear, of course, is that Comrade Geza was disloyal to the party. Article 19 of our constitution requires that every member should be loyal to the party and its leadership.
“We found that Blessed Geza violated all of those provisions. Now, taking all the allegations against Blessed Geza, which are all in the public purview, the Politburo … endorsed the recommendation from the national disciplinary committee that Blessed Geza should be expelled from Zanu PF with immediate effect.”
Chinamasa added that Geza’s dismissal was meant to foster discipline in the party.
“Much of yesterday’s deliberations dwelt on discipline. From today on, we will be known as a no-nonsense party to any mischief, or any misdemeanours, any factionalism, any misbehaviour that will be taking place in the party,” he said. “We must preserve our unity as a party, and as a colossal party. It is very important that we must chuck out or discipline those we feel are threatening the unity of Zanu PF.”
Several party members, including its deputy secretary for lands and agriculture, Godwin Gomwe, were also expelled for fomenting factionalism, among other charges.
