By Correspondent
The brazen attacks against prominent human rights lawyer Doug Coltart have exposed the swift reversion to violence by ZANU-PF as opposition to the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 continues.
Coltart was reportedly attacked while leaving the venue by a group of suspected ZANU PF supporters, who allegedly stole his mobile phone during the incident.
Opposition figures, including Tendai Biti, Fadzai Mahere and Morgen Komichi, were booed and heckled as tensions escalated, with proceedings descending into disorder.
Journalists covering the hearings were also affected.
Some were reportedly blocked from filming or taking photographs, while others faced intimidation inside the venue.
The hearings, organised by the Parliament of Zimbabwe, are part of nationwide consultations on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
The Bill proposes a range of changes, including extending the presidential term to seven years.
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono condemned the physical attack and racist abuse directed at Coltart.
He wrote on Facebook:
“The violence against Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Doug Coltart today at the parliamentary hearings for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 at the Harare City Sports Centre is disgraceful.
“The racist abuse directed at him by fellow Zimbabweans is equally shameful, exposing a dangerous erosion of tolerance, respect for the rule of law, and basic democratic values.
“Whatever happens with Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, it is already tainted by these actions of ZANUPF hooligans, thugs, and despicable individuals.
“You cannot take parliamentary hearings to the people and then assault them for airing their views, for opposing what you are saying, or for holding alternative opinions.
Harnessing Violence and Intimidation
Across the country, the ruling party has swiftly chosen violence and intimidation to try to push the narrative that people are receptive to the CAB3.
In Shurugwi, this reporter witnessed the brazen blocking and intimidation of all suspected opposition supporters.
Suspected ruling party youths and officials manned the door to Chachacha Business Centre Hall (Lid Agency Hall), blocking anyone they suspected of seeking to oppose the Bill.
This meant that only ZANU-PF supporters ended up getting inside.
As a result, of the approximately 50 people who contributed, everyone expressed support for CAB3.
The same pattern was repeated in Chirumhanzu District at Mvuma Vocational Training Centre.
ZANU PF members mobilised to sleep at the place and had filled the entire room for the Public Hearing by the time others began trickling.
Even then, they still had marshals standing at the doors vetting anyone who wanted to enter.
Again, as a result of that, everyone who contributed expressed support for the Bill.
Engineering A Narrative
The obvious agenda of the ruling party is to produce positive feedback from the hearings.
As a result, opposition leaders on Wednesday announced they were boycotting ongoing public hearings on CAB3.
The cited violence, intimidation and what they described as a “stage-managed” process that excludes dissenting voices.
Opposition figures Tendai Biti, Jameson Timba and Lovemore Madhuku said they had instructed their supporters not to participate in the hearings.
The turn of events has turned the whole process into a sham, with many critical voices decrying the turn of events.
Lawyer and NCA leader Prof Lovemore Madhuku said Parliament is equally to blame as it has abdicated its role.
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