'Presidential Mafia' threatens critics of Constitutional changes

A shadowy vigilante group calling itself the "Presidential Mafia" has issued threats against opposition politicians and civic activists campaigning against the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.

The group, which has been circulating videos on social media, warned critics of the proposed amendments — which seek, among other changes, to extend the tenure of Emmerson Mnangagwa and that of Parliament — to desist from mobilising protests.

In one of the clips, individuals purporting to represent the group made allegations against senior opposition figures Lovemore Madhuku and Tendai Biti.

They accused Biti, without providing evidence, of receiving funding from the United States to sponsor drug abuse among youths as part of an alleged campaign to discredit the Government.

"Let me warn you, you ain't going to do any protests because we know you were funded to mislead the youths. I am warning you, if you want to conduct a protest, be warned, we will deal with you," one member of the group said in a video.

The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and opposition leaders, who say the threats signal a deepening climate of intolerance and intimidation toward dissenting voices.

In recent weeks, tensions have escalated around the amendment process. Members of the Madhuku-led National Constitutional Assembly have reported violent disruptions of meetings and alleged assaults by suspected State security agents.

Madhuku and several party members were reportedly hospitalised on Sunday following what they described as a brutal attack at their offices in Harare.

Activists aligned to the Defend the Constitution Platform, a civic organisation convened by Biti, have also alleged abductions and torture after participating in meetings opposing the proposed constitutional changes.

Police have further been accused of denying clearance to civic groups seeking to hold public discussions on the amendment process, raising concerns among observers about shrinking democratic space.

Responding to the threats, Biti said the remarks should be treated seriously, describing them as part of a broader pattern of intimidation.

"The threats by the Zanu PF mafia on our lives are obviously serious. Faced with the backlash against Constitutional Amendment No. 3, Zanu PF can only revert to what it knows best, which is violence," Biti said.

He added that opponents of the Bill would continue to resist what they view as an assault on constitutionalism and democratic governance.

Critics argue that any attempt to alter presidential term limits would undermine the 2013 Constitution, which introduced a two-term cap on the presidency, and could set a precedent for further changes affecting the country's democratic framework.