The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has distanced itself from an alleged assault on Professor Lovemore Madhuku and members of his team, saying no officers were deployed to the meeting in question.
In a press statement dated 01 March 2026, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said authorities had not sanctioned the gathering and were not involved in the alleged incident. The statement seen by ZiGoats.com read:
“For the record, the police were not involved in the alleged incident.”
According to the ZRP, Professor Madhuku and his team had notified the relevant regulating authority of their intended meeting. However, after reviewing the notification, the authority identified irregularities and advised the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) convener that the meeting was not sanctioned.
Police said no personnel were deployed to oversee or monitor the event. The statement added:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is keen to know what actually transpired on the alleged attack on Professor Lovemore Madhuku and his team.”
Background to the Incident
Earlier on Sunday morning, the NCA alleged that individuals believed to be ZRP officers stormed its offices at 348 Herbert Chitepo Avenue in Harare, disrupting a meeting and assaulting attendees, including Professor Madhuku.
NCA spokesperson Madock Chivasa claimed several participants were injured during the disruption.
The reported incident comes amid growing opposition to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, gazetted on 16 February 2026. Critics argue the proposed changes could extend presidential and parliamentary terms to 2030 and alter the presidential voting framework.
Professor Madhuku has been publicly challenging the Bill in court and mobilising opposition against it.
Following the alleged assault, UK-based lawyer Brighton Mutebuka wrote:
“I am appalled to learn of the brutal assault on @ProfMadhuku & the NCA by alleged members of the ZRP for daring to challenge Agenda 2030. This savage attack reaffirms that Zimbabwe’s challenge is the absence of constitutionalism.”
Human rights activist and journalist Rashweat Mukundu also condemned the incident, describing it as:
“shameful barbarism by @PoliceZimbabwe, showing that those pushing the constitutional amendments have no confidence in their ill-fated project.”
The incident follows a separate allegation by Professor Madhuku that two NCA members were abducted shortly after a previous meeting related to the proposed constitutional changes.
“This will not stop the campaign against the Constitutional Amendment No.3 Bill. These two NCA members were abducted shortly after our meeting on mobilising against the Bill. Tortured and dumped. Why? We will win.”
Ongoing Questions
While the police have denied involvement and said the meeting was not sanctioned, questions remain over who was responsible for the alleged disruption.
Authorities have indicated they are seeking clarity on what transpired.
The developments add to growing political tensions surrounding Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, as debate over its implications for Zimbabwe’s democratic framework continues.
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