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Biti slams Zanu-PF for snubbing Geza's funeral
18 Feb 2026 at 16:30hrs |
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Tendai Biti, convenor of the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF), has criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu-PF for skipping the funeral and burial of former party member Blessed Geza in Sanyati on Monday, describing their absence as "malicious and shameful."
Geza, who passed away on February 6 in South Africa at the age of 73 due to a heart ailment, is survived by his wife and three children. In recent years, he had become a vocal critic of Mnangagwa's administration, using platforms such as X and YouTube to speak out against alleged corruption and looting at the highest levels of government.
Biti said Geza's activism ultimately isolated him within Zanu-PF, where he was seen as a rebel for speaking out. "They were so malicious that they did not even offer any food or any assistance. But the people here understand that oil and water don't mix. He fought against corruption. He fought against looting. He fought against brigands. He may not have wanted personally to have those people here. So there is no regret at all from anyone who is here," Biti said.
Biti drew parallels to the treatment of Ndabaningi Sithole with war veteran Rutendo Muzihwa questioning why Geza was not granted national hero status, arguing that such recognition should not be influenced by political disagreements. "My hero status cannot be determined by what I say today. My hero status was already conferred by my fight in the war against the Ian Douglas Smith regime. It can't be conferred by the born frees, like what has happened to Geza. This is not fair," Muzihwa said.
She further criticized the current Zanu-PF for limiting freedom of speech, noting that activists often join other parties without it being considered criminal. "We fought for all Zimbabweans across the political divide. In the current Zanu-PF, comrades are not enjoying the freedom of speech," she said.
The funeral highlighted ongoing tensions between the ruling party and former members who have spoken out against government practices, underscoring persistent political divisions in Zimbabwe.
Geza, who passed away on February 6 in South Africa at the age of 73 due to a heart ailment, is survived by his wife and three children. In recent years, he had become a vocal critic of Mnangagwa's administration, using platforms such as X and YouTube to speak out against alleged corruption and looting at the highest levels of government.
Biti said Geza's activism ultimately isolated him within Zanu-PF, where he was seen as a rebel for speaking out. "They were so malicious that they did not even offer any food or any assistance. But the people here understand that oil and water don't mix. He fought against corruption. He fought against looting. He fought against brigands. He may not have wanted personally to have those people here. So there is no regret at all from anyone who is here," Biti said.
Biti drew parallels to the treatment of Ndabaningi Sithole with war veteran Rutendo Muzihwa questioning why Geza was not granted national hero status, arguing that such recognition should not be influenced by political disagreements. "My hero status cannot be determined by what I say today. My hero status was already conferred by my fight in the war against the Ian Douglas Smith regime. It can't be conferred by the born frees, like what has happened to Geza. This is not fair," Muzihwa said.
She further criticized the current Zanu-PF for limiting freedom of speech, noting that activists often join other parties without it being considered criminal. "We fought for all Zimbabweans across the political divide. In the current Zanu-PF, comrades are not enjoying the freedom of speech," she said.
The funeral highlighted ongoing tensions between the ruling party and former members who have spoken out against government practices, underscoring persistent political divisions in Zimbabwe.
Source - newzimbabwe
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