The shadowy apparatus silencing critics of Mnangagwa's third term

Zimbabwe is witnessing a surge of brazen daylight attacks on activists, lawyers, and opposition figures who have spoken out against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), a controversial proposal that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond its constitutional limit.

Rights groups warn that the violence, often carried out in full view of police, points to the emergence of a "third force" - shadowy networks linked to the ruling Zanu-PF party accused of silencing dissent through orchestrated anarchy.

The crisis reached a flashpoint on March 31 at Harare's City Sports Centre, where human rights lawyer Doug Coltart was assaulted during a public hearing. Witnesses and video footage showed him shoved, slapped, and robbed of his phone and glasses by suspected ruling party supporters, while uniformed police stood by. Activists later traced the stolen phone to Zanu-PF central committee member Luckmore Tinashe Gapa, with another assailant identified as district official Nicholas Hamadziripi. Despite Coltart filing charges, police have made no arrests.

Analysts say the impunity reflects deeper political rot. "It's a collapse of decency and leadership in our politics with criminals now associating with Zanu-PF for material gain," said political analyst Rashweat Mukundu.

The violence has spread beyond hearings. On March 1, armed men stormed the National Constitutional Assembly offices, beating participants and hospitalising leader Lovemore Madhuku. In February, two NCA members were abducted, tortured, and dumped naked in Harare. Amnesty International Zimbabwe condemned the escalating crackdown, urging authorities to end attacks on peaceful dissent.

CAB3 itself represents a radical overhaul of governance. If passed, it would extend presidential and legislative terms from five to seven years, scrap the popular vote for the presidency in favour of parliamentary election, and allow Mnangagwa, now 83, to remain in office beyond 2028. Legal experts argue such changes require a national referendum, which the government has ignored.

Meanwhile, vigilante groups such as the self-styled "Presidential Mafia Edutainers 4ED" have openly threatened activists, releasing videos warning Coltart of further violence. Analysts warn these groups operate as "a state within a state," eroding rule of law and replacing accountability with political patronage.

Mnangagwa has remained silent, a stance critics interpret as tacit endorsement. As Zimbabwe edges closer to constitutional crisis, the absence of executive condemnation suggests the path to a third term may be paved with more violence and shrinking democratic space.