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Zanu-PF official who stole Coltart's phone identified
2 hrs ago |
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A Zanu-PF central committee member, Luckmore Tinashe Gapa, has been allegedly linked by some reports to an incident in which human rights lawyer Doug Coltart's mobile phone was taken during chaotic scenes at public consultations on the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill in Harare on Tuesday.
Footage and images circulating on social media appear to show a man, reportedly identified by some users as Gapa, in close proximity to Coltart during the disruption at the City Sports Centre. The individual is also said to have previously been photographed meeting First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa at State House in 2023, wearing a similar shirt, though these claims have not been independently verified.
The incident occurred as public hearings organised by Parliament of Zimbabwe descended into disorder, with reports of violence, intimidation, and disruption targeting opposition figures, journalists, and other attendees.
Human rights lawyer Doug Coltart was reportedly assaulted while leaving the venue and is alleged to have had his mobile phone taken during the melee. Several witnesses said groups of individuals disrupted proceedings, while some journalists were reportedly prevented from filming or taking photographs.
Opposition politicians including Tendai Biti, Fadzayi Mahere, and Morgen Komichi were among those who were heckled and booed as tensions escalated inside the venue, forcing proceedings into disarray.
The hearings form part of a nationwide consultation process on the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, which includes proposals that have sparked political debate, including changes relating to presidential term limits.
Civil society actors and opposition groups have since raised concerns over the conduct of the consultations, questioning their inclusivity, transparency, and credibility in light of the incidents reported in Harare.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement confirming the identity of individuals involved in the disturbances or the alleged theft of Coltart's phone.
Footage and images circulating on social media appear to show a man, reportedly identified by some users as Gapa, in close proximity to Coltart during the disruption at the City Sports Centre. The individual is also said to have previously been photographed meeting First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa at State House in 2023, wearing a similar shirt, though these claims have not been independently verified.
Coltart being assaulted! pic.twitter.com/TYXunJOvhM
— Bulawayo24 News (@Bulawayo24News) March 31, 2026
The incident occurred as public hearings organised by Parliament of Zimbabwe descended into disorder, with reports of violence, intimidation, and disruption targeting opposition figures, journalists, and other attendees.
Human rights lawyer Doug Coltart was reportedly assaulted while leaving the venue and is alleged to have had his mobile phone taken during the melee. Several witnesses said groups of individuals disrupted proceedings, while some journalists were reportedly prevented from filming or taking photographs.
Opposition politicians including Tendai Biti, Fadzayi Mahere, and Morgen Komichi were among those who were heckled and booed as tensions escalated inside the venue, forcing proceedings into disarray.
The hearings form part of a nationwide consultation process on the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, which includes proposals that have sparked political debate, including changes relating to presidential term limits.
Civil society actors and opposition groups have since raised concerns over the conduct of the consultations, questioning their inclusivity, transparency, and credibility in light of the incidents reported in Harare.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement confirming the identity of individuals involved in the disturbances or the alleged theft of Coltart's phone.
Source - online
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