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Geza's funeral trip disrupted by school authorities
8 hrs ago |
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The funeral of late war veteran Blessed "Bombshell" Geza continued to stir controversy even after his passing, as a bus carrying mourners from a Norton school, headed by his widow, was reportedly ordered to turn back while en route to his burial in Sanyati.
The mourners, including teachers from Vimbai High School, community members, and pupils, had set off on February 15 to support the school head, Roseline Ndaizivei Tawengwa, following her husband's death. After traveling more than 200 kilometres, the bus was reportedly instructed by deputy head Antony Nyikadzino to return to Norton, less than 20 kilometres from the Geza homestead. The origin of the order was not disclosed.
A villager at Panyimo shopping centre in Sanyati expressed surprise at the bus turning back. One mourner on the bus said Nyikadzino informed the driver that he had received instructions to abort the trip. "We were determined to go, but since it was now dark and we did not know where we were going, we had no choice other than to reluctantly stick onto the bus and return to the school," the mourner said.
Tawengwa said she was unaware of the incident as she had already arrived at the funeral. "I was already at the funeral. I don't know what you are talking about," she said. Nyikadzino, when contacted for comment, said he would consult and call back, but had not responded by publication time.
Geza passed away in South Africa on February 6 and was buried at Chenjiri Farm 6 in Sanyati on February 16. A liberation war stalwart, Geza was a vocal critic of corruption and an outspoken opponent of reported efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond constitutional limits. He had gained support from some war veterans and civil society activists.
Last year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police had indicated plans to arrest Geza for allegedly undermining the government after he publicly called for Mnangagwa's removal, accusing him of failing to uphold the ideals of the liberation struggle. Following his departure from the country, Geza launched a YouTube platform exposing alleged corruption by senior officials, which mobilised citizens to boycott work nationally. Subsequent calls for street protests, however, were met with heavy security intervention, resulting in dozens of arrests, with some detainees still in custody.
The mourners, including teachers from Vimbai High School, community members, and pupils, had set off on February 15 to support the school head, Roseline Ndaizivei Tawengwa, following her husband's death. After traveling more than 200 kilometres, the bus was reportedly instructed by deputy head Antony Nyikadzino to return to Norton, less than 20 kilometres from the Geza homestead. The origin of the order was not disclosed.
A villager at Panyimo shopping centre in Sanyati expressed surprise at the bus turning back. One mourner on the bus said Nyikadzino informed the driver that he had received instructions to abort the trip. "We were determined to go, but since it was now dark and we did not know where we were going, we had no choice other than to reluctantly stick onto the bus and return to the school," the mourner said.
Tawengwa said she was unaware of the incident as she had already arrived at the funeral. "I was already at the funeral. I don't know what you are talking about," she said. Nyikadzino, when contacted for comment, said he would consult and call back, but had not responded by publication time.
Geza passed away in South Africa on February 6 and was buried at Chenjiri Farm 6 in Sanyati on February 16. A liberation war stalwart, Geza was a vocal critic of corruption and an outspoken opponent of reported efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond constitutional limits. He had gained support from some war veterans and civil society activists.
Last year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police had indicated plans to arrest Geza for allegedly undermining the government after he publicly called for Mnangagwa's removal, accusing him of failing to uphold the ideals of the liberation struggle. Following his departure from the country, Geza launched a YouTube platform exposing alleged corruption by senior officials, which mobilised citizens to boycott work nationally. Subsequent calls for street protests, however, were met with heavy security intervention, resulting in dozens of arrests, with some detainees still in custody.
Source - newsday
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