CCC MPs allege assault by suspected CIOs in Mutare

Two Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament have alleged that they were assaulted by suspected Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives following a dispute over a parking bay at a government complex in Mutare.

Highfield MP Donald Mabvudzi and Goodrich Chimbaira, the MP for Zengeza East, said the incident occurred shortly after they concluded a meeting with the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza.

According to the legislators, they found several men allegedly deflating the tyres of their vehicle as they prepared to leave the government offices.

The MPs said a confrontation ensued over the parking space, during which they were allegedly assaulted by the men, whom they suspect are intelligence operatives.

Mabvudzi and Chimbaira were in Mutare on official parliamentary business at the time of the incident.

Following the alleged assault, the two legislators sought medical treatment at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital before reporting the matter to police.

The case was recorded at Mutare Central Police Station under reference number RRB 6744208.

The alleged incident comes amid heightened political tensions following the enactment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act, which extends the terms of the President and Parliament from five to seven years and changes the process for electing future presidents.

Both Mabvudzi and Chimbaira were among the opposition legislators who publicly opposed the constitutional amendment.

At the time of publication, neither the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) nor the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) had issued an official response to the allegations.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged assault remain unclear, and the claims have not been independently verified.