Zimbabwe is witnessing an intensified crackdown against critics of the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 amid rising political tensions in the country.
The Bill, viewed by critics as a mechanism to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s and Parliament’s tenure by two years, has sparked fierce opposition from civic groups, activists, and constitutional lawyers.
It also proposes sweeping changes to the constitution, including removing direct presidential elections and shifting the vote to a Parliament where Zanu PF holds a two-thirds majority.
The bill has polarised public opinion, with its critics facing intimidation and death threats.
Victims described to The Standard terrifying encounters involving abductions and assaults during the crackdown to silence dissent.
Among those targeted is constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, leader of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), who was assaulted along with 17 party members during a meeting in Harare last week.
The activists were injured and hospitalized following the attack, which occurred just days after two other NCA members were allegedly abducted and tortured.
Madhuku also received death threats from unknown assailants.
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Journalist-cum-activist Effort Manono, who was caught in the crossfire, described the situation as frightening and felt helpless while watching Madhuku being assaulted.
“I saw Professor Madhuku being assaulted, and there was nothing we could do,” he said.
Manono noted the atmosphere was intimidating, questioning why victimisation was occurring when the public has been invited to submit views on the bill.
He observed that when leaders are victimised, it scares ordinary supporters who look to them for guidance.
The Constitutional Defenders Forum (CDF), a civic group led by lawyer and politician Tendai Biti, has also been targeted.
Recently, a member of the forum was reportedly abducted, tortured, and abandoned by suspected assailants.
Police have repeatedly monitored Biti’s law offices in Milton Park, where the CDF operates.
A driver at the firm, requesting anonymity for security reasons, told The Standard he was assaulted for his association with a politician challenging the bill.
“I am not a political activist. I am a driver,” he said, explaining his alleged crime was transporting officials from the firm.
He reported that attackers took turns assaulting him with baton sticks, saying “unofira mahara” (you will die for nothing).
The ordeal included a high-speed chase with a second group of assailants before he found safety in Chishawasha.
Police have also banned several civic gatherings intended to discuss the constitutional changes.
At a press conference, Madhuku argued the assault was intended to intimidate critics of the bill.
“If they can pick me up when they need, they are simply sending a message that they don’t care,” he said, adding that the violence suggests the only person truly safe in the country is Mnangagwa.
Madhuku pointed to social media attacks against Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga as evidence that no one is secure.
He expressed concern that if high-ranking officials are targeted, ordinary citizens leading political causes are even more vulnerable.
He maintained he was simply performing his duties as a party leader during the meeting.
Amnesty International Zimbabwe condemned the attacks as a “blatant” violation of rights to security, expression, and assembly.
Its executive director Lucia Masuka stated the assault is part of a trend targeting those opposed to extending presidential term limits.
“Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Effort Manono, and other activists from his party had gathered for a meeting when they were violently beaten with batons in the presence of uniformed police officers,” Masuka said.
“This violent attack is a blatant violation of the rights to personal security, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly.
“This assault is the latest outrage targeting critics opposed to changing the constitution to allow the extension of presidential term limits.
“Zimbabwean authorities must immediately end the escalating crackdown on peaceful dissent, which has seen public meetings banned and critics brutally attacked, arbitrarily detained, and silenced.”
Masuka urged authorities to independently investigate the attacks to bring those responsible to justice.
“Authorities must promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently, and effectively investigate the attacks on these NCA members and bring to justice those suspected to be responsible,” Masuka added.
“Authorities must ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims and their families.
“They must create an environment that guarantees and ensures the effective exercise of the human rights of everyone in the country, including the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly, allowing everyone to peacefully express their opinions without the risk of interference, intimidation, attacks, or reprisals.”
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) also criticised the crackdown, noting victims were exercising constitutional rights to assembly and expression.
The ZHRC highlighted that section 67 (1) grants every Zimbabwean the right to campaign freely and participate in peaceful political activities to influence government policy.
The commission stated that violence against lawful civic engagement undermines democratic principles and the rule of law.
It said such violence damages Zimbabwe’s reputation and urged the government to ratify the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) to establish a national preventive mechanism against brutality.
Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya described the government’s claim of a democratic process as a “fallacy,” arguing that a genuine transition cannot exist while citizens are prevented from debating reforms.
He questioned the legitimacy of the transition if public debate is suppressed. Ngwenya dismissed the 90-day consultation period as a fallacy, noting that activists cannot engage while being subjected to violence.
The crackdown against activists opposed to the extension of presidential term limits began well before the bill was gazetted by Parliament last month.
Political activist Godfrey Karembera has been in pre-trial detention since his arrest on October 20, 2025 facing charges of incitement to commit public violence for allegedly distributing flyers ahead of a protest march that was meant to challenge the move to help Mnangagwa to hang on to power.
Over 90 other activists opposed to the extension of term limits were arrested on March 31 last year for allegedly gathering with intent to promote public violence.
The protests were inspired by late war veteran and former Zanu PF central committee member Blessed Geza, who broke ranks with the ruling party over the third term bid.
Geza died in South Africa last month after police indicated that they wanted to arrest him for allegedly undermining Mnangagwa’s authority.
