Armed police raided the offices of a pressure group led by former Finance Minister and opposition figure Tendai Biti late Tuesday night, escalating tensions over controversial constitutional changes that could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s stay in office.
The Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF), which has emerged as one of the most vocal organisations campaigning against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), said armed officers stormed its Harare offices and seized campaign materials including T-shirts and flyers.
The raid came just hours after police arrested the organisation’s Harare director of programmes, Paul Gorekore, following a search of his home in Mbare.
CDF is housed in the same building as Biti Law Chambers, the legal practice of Tendai Biti, who leads the organisation and has been among the most prominent critics of the proposed constitutional amendments.
According to the group, armed police arrived shortly after 11PM in two pick-up trucks and entered the building after confronting a security guard who fled the scene.
The officers then proceeded to the CDF offices, located on a floor above Biti’s law firm, where they allegedly began searching the premises and confiscating materials linked to the organisation’s anti-CAB3 campaign.
CDF said it was compiling a full inventory of the items taken during the operation.
The organisation condemned Gorekore’s arrest and the subsequent office raid, describing the actions as an attempt to intimidate citizens opposed to the constitutional amendments.
“We strongly condemn the arrest and detention of our Harare federation director of programmes following an unlawful entry and search at his house by the ZRP,” CDF said in a statement.
“We view this as an attempt to intimidate citizens and activists exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful civic participation.”
The group insisted that opposing CAB3 was lawful and protected under the Constitution.
“Advocating against Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 3) is not a crime. We remain vigilant and resolute in defending constitutionalism and the rights of all citizens.”
The developments come as opposition to CAB3 intensifies ahead of a crucial Senate vote.
The National Assembly passed the Bill on June 18 after 216 MPs voted in favour, comfortably exceeding the 187 votes required for a constitutional amendment.
Among the most controversial provisions are proposals to extend presidential terms from five years to seven years, a move critics say could allow Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
Supporters of the legislation argue that the changes will enhance political stability, improve accountability and reduce the costs associated with elections.
Opponents, however, contend that the amendments amount to a power grab designed to prolong Mnangagwa’s rule beyond the limits originally envisaged by the Constitution.
The Bill is currently before the Senate, where it is expected to secure the additional support needed to advance further through the legislative process.
With civil society groups, opposition politicians and some liberation war veterans increasingly mobilising against the proposal, Tuesday night’s raid is likely to heighten concerns among government critics about growing pressure on organisations leading resistance to CAB3.
Discover more from Nehanda Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
