Zanu-PF members not safe from vigilante attacks

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Lovemore Madhuku has warned that no one in Zimbabwe is safe from attacks by alleged pro-government vigilantes, following a violent assault on him and several party members on Sunday, 1 March 2026.

Madhuku and his colleagues were reportedly gathered for a meeting when they were attacked and beaten with batons. The NCA claims the assault occurred in the presence of uniformed police officers. Authorities have not yet issued a detailed public response to the allegations.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Madhuku said the violence sends a chilling message across the political divide, arguing that even members of the ruling ZANU PF party are not immune if they are perceived as dissenting voices.

"Everyone, including those people in their own party, as long as those people are not supporting [the Constitutional Amendment]," he said.

"The only person who would not be beaten up in this country is President Emmerson Mnangagwa. That's the message they are sending. As far as things are concerned, they'll beat up everyone else, so it's how dangerous they are. Don't think that any people who are in Zanu-PF at the top level are immune."

The alleged attack comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding proposed constitutional changes, with opposition figures and civic groups raising concerns about shrinking democratic space and rising intimidation.

Investigations into the incident are expected, although no arrests had been announced at the time of publication.