Mwonzora accuses Zanu-PF of disrupting event in Bulawayo

Leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Douglas Mwonzora, has accused supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party of disrupting a party event in Bulawayo on Saturday, alleging that police officers present at the scene failed to intervene.

The disturbance reportedly occurred during a gathering organised by the MDC Women's Assembly to mark a belated commemoration of International Women's Day.

According to Mwonzora, about 20 suspected Zanu-PF supporters attempted to force their way into the meeting, which was addressed by Women's Assembly chairperson Constance Chihururu and the party's national organiser for women Nomatter Munyayi.

"The group that attacked the MDC sometime last year is the one that came, only that they were more than the people that attacked us. They were about 20," Mwonzora said.

"They tried to get in to disturb the meeting held by the Women's Assembly. The MDC Women's Assembly was holding a commemoration for International Women's Day Saturday in Bulawayo."

Mwonzora alleged the incident unfolded in the presence of several police officers who did not take action.

"So the Zanu-PF people came and attacked the meeting in the presence of the police. The police did nothing. There were more than 13 police details but they did not do anything, they just kept quiet and let things happen," he claimed.

Police later instructed MDC members to disperse from the venue before 2pm, forcing the cancellation of a press briefing that had been scheduled for later in the afternoon.

When journalists arrived at the venue, police vehicles and officers were stationed outside the building while a crowd of onlookers gathered to observe the situation.

Mwonzora alleged that the disruption was linked to efforts to block opposition mobilisation against the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 of 2026, which critics say could enable President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030.

"We know this is an attempt by them to stop our fight against 2030 but we will not be deterred, we will not be perturbed, we will not relent. We will continue to fight against this injustice," he said.

The MDC leader also accused authorities of selectively applying the law by allegedly preventing opposition gatherings while allowing ruling party activities to proceed unhindered.

"Zanu-PF is campaigning for the 2030, they are mobilising their people to take part in the outreach process that has been announced by Parliament but other people are not being allowed, so we will not relent, we will not allow ourselves to be discriminated against," Mwonzora said.

"But what is good is that the meeting took place and our people were spoken to and the struggle continues."

The incident comes days after another political event was blocked in the city.

On Thursday, police also stopped a press conference that had been scheduled to be held by the **National Democratic Working Group> in Bulawayo.

The group accused authorities of preventing meetings by organisations opposed to the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 of 2026, which has been gazetted by the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

According to the National Democratic Working Group, police were blocking gatherings by groups critical of the 2030 agenda while allowing Zanu-PF meetings to proceed without interference.