Johannesburg – The passing of Blessed Runesu Geza, the outspoken Zimbabwean war veteran and fierce critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has sent ripples across the political landscape, but it is the haunting details surrounding his final moments that truly captivate. Geza, known to many as “Bombshell,” died in the early hours of Friday, 6 February 2026, at a cardio hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, after a private battle with cancer that he had kept hidden from the public eye for over a year.
His death, confirmed by his eldest son, Fortune Geza, to News24, followed a ten-day hospitalisation. Yet, it was not just the news of his demise that gripped the nation, but a poignant, defiant letter penned by Geza himself just hours before his death. In this emotional missive, dispatched at 5 AM Central Africa Time, Geza revealed his deteriorating health and made a chilling vow: “I vow to fight this from the grave.”
A Secret Struggle: The Cancer Battle He Fought Alone
For months, Blessed Geza had been a thorn in the side of the Zimbabwean establishment, launching explosive, expletive-laden press conferences from his exile in South Africa. He accused President Mnangagwa and his allies of rampant corruption and called for mass protests to force a change in leadership. What the public did not know, however, was the immense personal battle he was simultaneously waging.
It has now emerged that Geza had been secretly battling cancer since at least January 2025. This revelation casts a new light on his relentless activism, suggesting a man driven by an urgent sense of purpose, perhaps acutely aware of his own mortality. He chose to keep his illness private, continuing his political campaign with an unwavering resolve that belied his physical suffering. His son’s confirmation of his ten-day stay in a Johannesburg cardio hospital further suggests that his health had taken a severe turn, likely due to complications from his undisclosed cancer.
The 5 AM Farewell: “I Might Not See The New Zimbabwe”
In the hours leading up to his death, seemingly aware that his time was running out, Geza composed a deeply emotional letter. This final communication, shared widely online, served as both a farewell and a rallying cry to his fellow Zimbabweans. Writing at an “unusual hour” – 5 AM – he spoke of his “energy sapping” and a heart “heavy with sorrow,” yet unbroken in spirit.
His letter, a testament to his enduring commitment to his vision for Zimbabwe, read:
“Fellow Zimbabweans, I come to you at this unusual hour, my heart heavy with sorrow.I am in pain that I might not see the new Zimbabwe after Emmerson, but I take solace in the hope that you will continue the faith for a free and prosperous nation – the Zimbabwe I fiercely fought for. I have walked a difficult path, one filled with pain and sacrifice. Like many of you, I joined this struggle at a tender age.We fought fierce battles, and the memories of our dear comrades who fell to the enemy’s guns and bombs still haunt us.But this did not deter us; it fortified our resolve.
“Each of us hoped to witness a better Zimbabwe, one where every dream counted.The colonial system was oppressively discriminatory – socially, economically, and politically.The oppressors stole our dignity, our humanity, and our livelihoods.We bled to reclaim what was rightfully ours: our dignity, identity, and humanity. I salute all the heroes of our liberation struggle, both alive and departed.To those who gave their lives, let me assure you: you did not die in vain. Your aspirations will soon be realised. When we recognised that Mugabe had betrayed the covenant forged in our battle for this country, we made the decision to remove him in November 2017, filled with hope for a government that would correct those wrongs.
“I have since apologised for my role in that removal.Yet what followed has been a nightmare. Mnangagwa has fared even worse, completely neglecting the values we fought for.As Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said, we fought for a country where everyone has a place at the table. Yet today, we witness unprecedented levels of corruption.The Zviganandas have captured the State. They are robbing this country dry.
“They are stealing from you, from your children, and from your future.Last year, I exposed their corrupt activities and called for collective action to remove Emmerson from power. This will never happen. I vow to fight this from the grave. Vana Ziyambi muchamhanya chete (Ziyambi’s people will just keep running). As I reflect on my journey, my heart aches not from despair, but from overwhelming hope that you will unite.
“As I speak to you now, I feel my energy sapping; I might not be here tomorrow, next week, or next month. Do not let fear engulf you; let it fuel your resolve.We have fought too hard and lost too much to turn back now.May God bless you. May God bless Zimbabwe.”
This powerful message, particularly the line “I vow to fight this from the grave,” resonated deeply across social media, turning speculation about his fate into a national conversation about defiance and the future of Zimbabwe.
From Zanu-PF Insider to Exiled Critic
Blessed Geza’s journey was one of dramatic shifts. A veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, he was once a member of the ruling Zanu-PF’s Central Committee, a key decision-making body within the party. However, his conscience led him to break ranks in 2025 when he openly opposed a motion to extend President Mnangagwa’s term by two years. This act of defiance marked the beginning of his transformation from an insider to a vocal dissident.
Following a series of highly critical press conferences where he lambasted the president and his allies, Geza found himself on the state’s wanted list. Facing multiple criminal charges, including inciting violence, undermining the authority of the president, and terrorism related to his calls for mass protests, he was forced to flee to South Africa. His exile was not without personal cost; his home in Sanyati was petrol-bombed, and his wife, Roseline Tawengwa, was detained and questioned for several hours, incidents that Geza himself seized upon as evidence of persecution.
His final letter also contained a profound apology for his role in the November 2017 removal of former President Robert Mugabe, an event that brought Mnangagwa to power. Geza expressed deep regret, stating, “I have since apologised for my role in that removal. Yet what followed has been a nightmare. Mnangagwa has fared even worse, completely neglecting the values we fought for.” This admission highlights the disillusionment that drove his later activism.
Family’s Urgent Warning: Beware of Scams
In a testament to the unfortunate realities that often accompany the death of public figures, Geza’s family issued an immediate and urgent warning to the public. They cautioned against “unauthorised financial appeals” and calls for cash donations towards his funeral. This swift action by the family underscores the opportunistic nature of some individuals, even in moments of national mourning, attempting to exploit the situation for personal gain.
A Polarised Legacy
The reaction to Geza’s death on social media was immediate and, much like his life, deeply polarised. To his fervent supporters, he was a “true and genuine hero” who spoke from the heart, a rare voice within Zanu-PF willing to challenge a “broken” system. They saw him as a courageous figure who embodied the true spirit of Zimbabwean nationalism, fighting for a free and prosperous nation until his last breath. Jacob Ngarivhume, leader of the Transform Zimbabwe political party, echoed this sentiment, calling Geza “courageous and embodied the true spirit of Zimbabwe nationalism. A genuine hero through to his death.”
Conversely, for those who opposed him, Geza was often viewed as a “chaotic,” reckless figure whose “delusional rumblings” made him a liability. His critics pointed to his controversial methods and the legal troubles he faced as evidence of his disruptive influence.
Regardless of one’s political alignment, Blessed Geza’s death marks the end of an era for a figure who, despite his secret illness, remained a vocal and defiant force in Zimbabwean politics. His final words, penned in the quiet solitude of his last hours, will undoubtedly continue to fuel debate and inspire those who share his vision for a different Zimbabwe. His legacy, complex and contentious, will be remembered as that of a war veteran who, even from the grave, vowed to continue the fight.
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