The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the quiet village in Sanyati, where war veteran Blessed Geza had been laid to rest.
Chenjire Farm number 6 is where Geza, affectionately known as Comrade Bombshell, had spent his final days before going into exile in South Africa.
A vocal critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's regime, Geza was a beacon of hope for many Zimbabweans, tirelessly advocating for justice in a country infested with corruption, nepotism, and cronyism.
Following his death on February 6, while in exile in South Africa, Zimbabweans rallied together to pay their respects.
Friends, family, and supporters gathered in large numbers to celebrate the life of a man who had fought relentlessly for the rights of his compatriots.
Shedding tears mixed with laughter, they shared fond memories of his relentless spirit and unwavering ideals, exhibited in the many online addresses he had given.
Villagers recounted his undying love, sense of justice, and desire to help everyone in the community.
Geza was buried on February 16 at his cherished Chinjire Farm number 6, a place that had stood witness to the struggles and triumphs of his spirited life.
But as the mourners returned to their lives, an unsettling silence fell over the farm, interrupted only by the occasional arrival of more mourners coming to pay their last respects to the colossal man who defied fear throughout his life.
Little did they know that the most poignant chapter of his story was yet to unfold.
The second night following Geza’s burial, an eerie stillness enveloped Chenjire Farm number 6.
Yet, as the moon cast its silvery glow, the night air was pierced by an unexpected cacophony—a series of hefty barks echoed through the darkness, reverberating off the old walls of the farmhouse that had been burnt by suspected Zanu PF activists last year.
The source of the noise was Geza’s loyal dogs.
They seemed to sense the profound loss that had settled upon their beloved master’s resting place.
The fervent barks persisted throughout the night, a symphony of grief that resonated with the anguish of all who had loved Geza.
Possibly, their relentless barking were cries—a testament to a bond that transcended the barriers of speech and human understanding.
As dawn broke, bringing life back to the farm nestled deep in rural Sanyati in Mashonaland East province, the curious Geza family members and villagers came out of the house and were met with a sight that left them gasping in disbelief.
Lying serenely atop Geza's grave were two of his faithful dogs, their eyes closed, seemingly at peace.
The other two were peacefully sleeping on the ground next to the grave.
“It was as if they had kept a vigil over their beloved companion, honouring his memory in their own unique way,” a family member told Standard People.
The dogs kept coming back to their master’s grave, even though he had been away from home for more than a year. But their unwavering loyalty still showed.
“We ended up using thorny branches to block their access to the grave,” the family member added.