Police roadblocks emerge amid coup fears

Police, roadblocks have resurfaced across Zimbabwe, with citizens complaining that law enforcement officers are using them to extort money from motorists.
These concerns come at a time when the Zimbabwean Army deployed more than 20 tanks onto the streets of Harare on Wednesday.

Authorities have claimed the tanks were part of routine military drills, but the timing has fueled speculation of potential political instability.

This development, coupled with a statement from Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe confirming that police roadblocks would remain in place, has intensified coup fears among Zimbabweans.

Many recall similar circumstances preceding the 2017 coup that ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe.

In a statement, Kazembe, like the Army officials who defended the presence of tanks, justified the decision to continue with police roadblocks and patrols.

He cited public safety concerns and the necessity of maintaining law and order on the roads:

“Our people complain when police presence increases, and they complain when it is reduced. We have resolved to let the law guide us. The police will enforce regulations firmly, whether people complain or not.”

Kazembe also emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing an electronic traffic management system to enhance law enforcement efficiency:

“Technology doesn’t discriminate – it does not care about your face, relationship, or status. It ensures fairness and holds everyone accountable. By the end of this year, we will have this solution in place, and it will end the chaos on our roads.”

He further urged drivers to adhere to traffic laws and called on the public to cooperate with the police to uphold safety standards.

Kazembe warned that reckless drivers and lawbreakers would face severe penalties as part of broader efforts to restore order.

The heightened security measures come amid increasing political tensions within the ruling ZANU-PF party.

War veteran and ZANU-PF Central Committee member Blessing Geza has publicly threatened to expose plans by war veterans to remove President Emmerson Mnangagwa from power.

Geza, known for his close ties to powerful military factions, recently issued an ultimatum for Mnangagwa to resign, warning of drastic action if he refuses. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. Reports suggest that a faction within the military, aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, is growingincreasingly dissatisfied with Mnangagwa’s leadership.

Many believe Mnangagwa has reneged on an alleged agreement from the 2017 coup, which was said to guarantee Chiwenga eventual leadership.

Adding to public anxiety, a viral video featuring an unnamed prophet has surfaced, predicting a violent coup in Zimbabwe. The prophet warned:

“The Lord has spoken, and I must pray for Zimbabwe. I saw another coup—one that will bring chaos and bloodshed. This will not be like before; this time, there will be much suffering, and many lives will be lost.”

Another prominent prophet, Ian Ndlovu, has also issued a chilling prophecy of impending military unrest, cautioning that the country’s deepening power struggle could spiral out of control.

The current political climate bears striking similarities to the events leading up to the November 2017 coup, when the military intervened to remove Mugabe after decades in power.

The coup was orchestrated by then-Vice President Mnangagwa and top military officials, including Chiwenga, who later became Vice President.

At the time, military tanks rolled into Harare under the pretext of protecting national stability.

The coup was justified as an effort to restore democracy, but in reality, it was a high-stakes power struggle within ZANU-PF.

Mnangagwa ultimately emerged victorious, but his tenure has been marked by growing discontent within the military ranks and ruling party structures.

With tensions reaching a boiling point once again, the presence of tanks in Harare and the resurgence of roadblocks have reignited fears of another political shake-up.

Whether these developments signal the early stages of a coup or are merely precautionary security measures remains to be seen.

However, one thing is clear: Zimbabwe’s political landscape remains as volatile as ever.

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