By M31 News Reporter | April 20, 2025
Renowned investigative journalist and filmmaker Hopewell Chin’ono has once again ignited national debate, this time weighing in on calls for a nationwide shutdown protest led by liberation war veteran and outspoken critic of the regime, Blessed “Bombshell” Geza.
In a powerful and deeply analytical statement published on his social media platforms, Chin’ono defended the proposed shutdown as the last peaceful tool available to Zimbabweans to resist the authoritarian grip of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
A History of Shutdowns and Their Power
Drawing historical parallels to previous mass actions under the late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Chin’ono reminded the nation how shutdowns have proven to be potent instruments of resistance. He referenced the March 31, 2024 shutdown that reportedly forced Mnangagwa to abandon his controversial campaign to extend his rule beyond 2030.
According to Chin’ono, shutdowns when properly executed, send a political message that cannot be silenced or jailed. “The silence of a shutdown speaks louder than the noise of a march that can be infiltrated,” he wrote.
Geza Steps In Where Opposition Has Collapsed
With the formal opposition in disarray and trade unions nearly non-existent, Chin’ono noted that figures like Blessed Geza have emerged as unexpected but necessary symbols of defiance. “Geza is now a central figure of resistance because there is no viable structured political opposition,” he asserted.
He also took aim at the Mnangagwa regime’s attempts to co-opt opposition MPs through patronage, arguing that this has made resistance from within ZANU-PF like Geza’s more credible and even more threatening to the regime’s survival.
Impact Beyond Borders
Shutdown protests, Chin’ono emphasized, do more than just freeze local operations. They attract international attention, engage the diaspora, and pressure foreign governments to respond. He claimed that during the last shutdown, regional leaders made phone calls urging Mnangagwa to drop his extension bid for the sake of regional stability.
“Shutdowns hit where it really hurts corrupt politicians by bringing key sectors to a halt,” Chin’ono argued, highlighting that such protests are not just about stopping life, but reclaiming political agency.
A Moment of Decision for Citizens
In what can only be described as a rallying call, Chin’ono told Zimbabweans that the choice before them is simple: act or be ruled. “If the two-day shutdown does not materialise, Emmerson Mnangagwa will emerge stronger than before. If it does happen, he will be terribly weakened.”
He warned that the cost of inaction would not only embolden the regime but also potentially push rival factions within ZANU-PF to take desperate steps that exclude ordinary citizens from shaping Zimbabwe’s future.
Economic Argument Countered
To those arguing that shutdowns damage the economy, Chin’ono offered a stark reality check: “The current economy has already shut out ordinary citizens, denying them basic healthcare, jobs, a decent and dignified life.”
He pointed out Zimbabwe’s 95% unemployment rate, collapsed infrastructure, and rampant inflation as proof that citizens have little to lose and everything to gain.
Legacy of Courage Amidst Apathy
Chin’ono closed his post with a striking indictment of youth apathy and social media activism, contrasting their inaction with Geza’s boldness.
“It is sad that it has taken a 74-year-old liberation war veteran to force Mnangagwa to notice the unacceptable face of his corrupt rule,” he said, warning that criticism of Geza’s efforts was misplaced and “a reflection of ungratefulness.”
Final Thoughts
As Zimbabwe stands at yet another political crossroads, Chin’ono’s message is clear: silence is no longer an option. With institutions captured and the traditional opposition neutered, shutdown protests may be the only way left for citizens to shake a corrupt system that thrives on passivity.
Whether or not the nation heeds the call may well determine the country’s future.
M31 will continue to monitor developments
General Blessed Geza
