Zimbabwe saw a ghost town effect as citizens ignored a planned strike, reflecting their understanding of risks under the current regime. Political analyst Eldred Masunungure attributed this to a lack of organized political efforts and the overwhelming survival needs of the populace. He suggested a rekindling of a past coalition government is necessary but unlikely under current conditions, leaving the country in a fragile state.
In late March 2025, Zimbabwe experienced a lack of participation in a planned strike, which left many urban areas eerily empty. Political analyst Eldred Masunungure, from the University of Zimbabwe, noted that citizens chose not to heed the call for protest initiated by war veteran Blessed Geza, who aims to unseat President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Masunungure explains that people are quite aware of the risks associated with direct confrontation with the state.
Protests are illegal in Zimbabwe, and Masunungure expressed that the decision to remain at home was a form of protest itself. However, Geza’s latest call for an indefinite strike was largely ignored because it conflicted with the basic survival needs of many Zimbabweans, whose livelihoods depend on informal work. “It is plain common sense,” Masunungure asserts, emphasizing that risking their jobs for a protest was unfeasible.
A major issue highlighted by Masunungure was the lack of organization behind the protests. He described Geza’s movement as largely a solo effort, which lacks the sustainable political structure needed for effective opposition. The absence of a political home for people disillusioned with the ruling party Zanu PF complicates the situation further, with many feeling politically orphaned after previous opposition groups dwindled.
This leaves Zimbabwe’s political landscape marked by a desperate need for a trustworthy and viable organization. Masunungure pointed out that the country has been engulfed in a prolonged period of fragility—a reality apparent in its politics, economy, and social conditions. With rampant corruption, high unemployment rates, and rampant inflation, he argues, Zimbabwe is simply muddling through.
Reflecting on past stability, Masunungure suggested the revival of a Government of National Unity (GNU) akin to that from 2009 to 2013 could help revitalize the nation. But he remains skeptical about this happening under the current regime, given that Zanu PF tightly controls the political arena and civil groups, particularly under laws like the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Amendment Act.
Despite these challenges, Masunungure expressed hope that the church might facilitate national dialogue and push towards a GNU-like solution, mentioning that regional leadership, notably that of SADC, will be crucial in this process. Nonetheless, he concluded that for now, Zimbabwe is likely to remain in a state of uncertainty and turmoil for the foreseeable future.
In summary, the observed stay-away in March 2025 was a clear sign of the public’s fears and the choices they face, opting for survival over protest. The lack of significant organization behind leadership like Geza has left many feeling politically abandoned. As Masunungure pointed out, the road to recovery for Zimbabwe could lie in a new coalition government, but significant hurdles remain that could prevent a return to stability, leaving the nation in a continued state of precariousness.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
