Chamisa, aides attacked by thugs in Bulawayo

Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa and a group of his supporters were reportedly attacked by suspected Zanu-PF youths during a private meeting at a lodge in Bulawayo last Sunday.

According to sources familiar with the incident, Chamisa was meeting a small group of loyalists at the lodge as he continues consultations ahead of launching a new political movement when a group of men allegedly arrived at the venue armed with machetes, axes, sjamboks and other weapons.

The attackers were reportedly travelling in a Honda Fit and wearing work suits before storming the venue and attacking attendees and their vehicles.

One source described scenes of panic as those present attempted to escape.

"Some jumped over walls and others hid around the lodge. A Range Rover belonging to Patrick Cheza was badly damaged. I heard Chamisa's trousers were torn," the source said.

Cheza, a former CCC parliamentary candidate for Chirumanzu constituency in the 2023 elections, is regarded as part of Chamisa's close circle. He had not responded to questions regarding the alleged attack at the time of publication.

Chamisa ally Amos Chibaya confirmed that he was in Bulawayo on the day of the alleged incident but denied being present at the lodge.

"I was never at the mentioned lodge and I was never attacked. The rest is Zanu-PF propaganda," Chibaya said.

Chamisa, who resigned from CCC leadership in January 2024 citing alleged infiltration of the party, was in Bulawayo to attend a memorial service for the late Ward 2 councillor Joyce Ndlovu at the Amphitheatre. The event proceeded without him, with only a small number of attendees present.

Sources close to Chamisa said some supporters were concerned that the incident had been kept quiet, questioning why those present were allegedly instructed not to discuss what happened.

"It's confusing why he would order everyone who was there to keep the incident to themselves. This was a select group of people, and many are keen to prove their loyalty so they won't say a thing," one source said.

The source also raised concerns over how details of the private meeting allegedly became known.

Chamisa announced plans for a new political movement on January 23, setting a 180-day period for consultations and groundwork ahead of its formation. The reported attack occurred days before that deadline.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Zimbabwe following the passage of Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3, which introduced changes affecting electoral processes and the terms of public office bearers.

Authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the alleged attack, while Chamisa's supporters have not publicly confirmed details of the incident.