Maitengwe Weekend Trending Stories: The Persuaders succeeded in persuading him to not go as Geza ascends

With Yours Truly
Hallelujah Church, welcome to this week’s trending stories with yours truly — the Grade Two dropout from Dombodema who somehow still reads the fine print.
First, we bow our heads.
The remains of the late liberation war hero, Cde Runesu Geza , affectionately known as Bombshell are now back on Zimbabwean soil for burial this week. May his soul rest in eternal peace. And to every family that has buried a loved one in recent days, we stand with you. Grief does not knock politely; it simply enters.
Now… let us enter the streets.
We begin in the Republic where the Bill that stretches the President’s stay in office like elastic was tabled and approved by Cabinet this week. Not just tabled. Approved. Polished. Gift-wrapped.
Remember when the President said he will persuade the persuaders not to persuade him to extend his stay in office . Well seems they succeeded to persuade him to stay and not go.
And then came the amendments.
Oh, the amendments.
Zimbabwe may no longer hold Presidential elections. Term limits shift from 5 years to 7. The phrase “uphold the Constitution” is reportedly adjusted to something softer, something more flexible. The voters’ roll? Relocated. The Gender Commission? Possibly merged into the Human Rights Commission. Efficiency, they call it.
Shock rippled through the country like electricity on a wet floor.
Now, yours truly has opinions ,even if I only passed Grade Two with a distinction in observing human behavior.
On the 2030 slogan… remember in 2018 when it sounded like a joke? “2030 ndinenge ndichipo.” People laughed. Some clapped. Some rolled eyes. But jokes, my dear reader, sometimes grow legs.
And now? The road appears paved. The pathway cleared. The people want him to stay, we are told. Yes the people.
Now, abolishing Presidential elections… on paper, it reads like a bad chapter in a democracy textbook. But theoretically - and hear me well - it could humble the opposition. For years, Zimbabwean opposition politics has been personality-driven, a carnival of cult followings where candidates run for office knowing even their extended families will not vote for them.
No more endless presidential candidates collecting nomination forms like souvenirs. No more ballot paper confusion.
But.
It also removes the people’s ultimate power. It tightens executive grip. It stretches terms to 7 years — potentially 14 — which feels like a long time to wait if you are unhappy. Accountability becomes thinner. The ballot becomes distant.
And one must ask: what grand project requires fourteen uninterrupted years that five could not accomplish?
But enough before I am accused of overthinking.
Meanwhile, in the Republic of Kuvhukiland, three ministers were reassigned. But the biggest gossip? The former Minister of Gossip and Propaganda himself being reshuffled. They say he misunderstood the assignment- instead of controlling gossip, he became the gossip. And allegedly, he even gossiped about the appointer.
Now Soda steps in recently spotted with Sugar, the man steering ZBC. Let us see how the chemistry works.
As for Muswere- critics say 98% was the suit, 1% the speech, and the remaining 1% when he blinked.
Moving from corridors of power to pavements of personality - let us talk about Maloti.
Yes, that Maloti.
The Zimbabwean rapper who is never shy, never silent, and never short of vocabulary — especially the unprintable kind. This week she stirred a storm after calling Zimbabweans in the diaspora “useless” while boarding planes to perform in those very same countries.
The diaspora did not clap.
Backlash followed her across time zones. She claims she is misunderstood. They claim she is ungrateful. She is not backing down. The streets are watching.
And now, love is in the air or in the budget.
Today is Valentine’s Day. Yours truly does not subscribe to celebrating a man whose biography remains mysteriously undocumented. But to my congregants who believe in roses, chocolates and heart emojis — enjoy responsibly. Love boldly.
Before we close, let us pause once more for Cde Geza.
Ironically, the man who stood firmly against 2030 passed away, and barely a day later, the motion was tabled. Coincidence? Strategy? History will decide. What we do know is that he died standing for what he believed in.
Some have said his death was divine punishment.
Let us be careful with theology.
Death is not a political endorsement. It is not a heavenly press statement. If death were punishment, many would have fallen already. God is God. And humanity remains mortal.
Rest in peace, Cde Geza.
And to my elders — please read the amendments carefully. Interpretation without reading is how nations get surprised.
Until next week- goodbye to those who tried to persuade and those who refused to be persuaded.
This has been Maitengwe Weekend Trending Stories.