Arrest of Blessed Geza wife

Zimbabwean police have detained Roseline Tawengwa, the wife of militant war veteran Blessed Geza, in an apparent bid to force the ex-combatant to surrender. Geza, who recently fled to South Africa, has been vocal in his opposition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's rumored third-term bid, aligning himself with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's faction in the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Geza was part of a group of war veterans loyal to Chiwenga who publicly denounced Mnangagwa, accusing him of failing to govern while alleging nepotism, corruption, and mismanagement. Their defiance, backed by elements within the military, has intensified the already volatile succession battle between Mnangagwa and his deputy.

In response, authorities have launched a crackdown, pressing four criminal charges against Geza, including accusations of undermining and insulting the President. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has escalated matters by suggesting that Geza could also face murder charges.

Faced with imminent arrest, Geza fled across the border, vowing that war veterans would intensify the succession struggle and remove Mnangagwa from power. His detention in South Africa remains uncertain, but Zimbabwean authorities appear determined to pressure him into returning.

Despite Mnangagwa publicly denying any intention of seeking a third term on multiple occasions, his loyalists continue pushing the agenda, fueling tensions within ZANU-PF. This power struggle has set the stage for a high-stakes confrontation between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, deepening the cracks in Zimbabwe's ruling elite.

The detention of Geza's wife signals a new phase in the escalating conflict, as authorities resort to more aggressive tactics to quell internal dissent. Whether this move will force Geza's hand or further embolden his faction remains to be seen.