HARARE – Behind the polished corridors of power where bills are drafted, a much darker reality is unfolding on the streets of Harare. Recent reports of National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) members being abducted, tortured, and stripped naked are not isolated incidents of rogue policing; they are part of a coordinated “Massive Crackdown” designed to decapitate any organised resistance to the 2030 agenda. This investigative piece delves into the harrowing experiences of activists who have found themselves in the crosshairs of a state apparatus that appears increasingly intolerant of dissent.
We go beyond the basic news reports to piece together the timeline of these “midnight visits” and “unmarked vehicle” abductions. The psychological warfare being used is evident: why strip activists naked? Why target the NCA specifically? The state is attempting to send a chilling message to the broader “opposition” and civil society: that the “new dispensation” has run out of patience. By simplifying the complex web of state security involvement, we show how the “ED2030” project has moved from a political campaign to a security operation.
The violence meted out against critics is inextricably linked to the “ED2030” campaign. This movement, spearheaded by loyalists within the ruling Zanu PF party, seeks to ensure that President Emmerson Mnangagwa remains in power until at least 2030, despite his current term being set to expire in 2028. Last week, the proposed constitutional amendments were tabled during a Cabinet meeting before being gazetted by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda.
These amendments represent a fundamental overhaul of the 2013 Constitution. They seek to extend the presidential tenure by two years and, more controversially, propose the scrapping of direct presidential elections. Under the new proposal, the President would be chosen by Members of Parliament (MPs)—a move that would effectively insulate the executive from the direct will of the electorate.
The Abduction of Sirora and Taruona
On Thursday, 26 February 2026, two members of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Naboth Sirora and Innocent Taruona, were allegedly abducted, assaulted, and later abandoned in the Highlands suburb of Harare. This incident occurred shortly after they attended a meeting at the NCA’s offices located at 348 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare. NCA leader Lovemore Madhuku confirmed the incident, stating that the two men were seized soon after leaving the party’s offices, where they had been discussing issues related to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. Madhuku recounted the chilling details:
“We had just finished our meeting, and two of our members were abducted and tortured. They were blindfolded and later dumped in Highlands without clothes.”
This act of stripping the activists naked is a clear tactic of psychological warfare, designed to humiliate and instil fear, sending a stark message to anyone contemplating opposition to the government’s agenda.
The Ordeal of Baird Gore
Another harrowing account comes from Baird Gore, a member of the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF), a civic group vehemently opposed to the proposed constitutional amendment. Gore’s abduction from Glen Norah on a Tuesday night, 17 February 2026, paints a grim picture of the methods employed by state agents. According to eyewitnesses and a detailed statement released by the CDF, the operation to seize Gore began late in the evening. A black Ford Raptor, a vehicle frequently associated with clandestine security operations in Harare, pulled up outside Gore’s residence. The brutality was immediate and indiscriminate.
“When the armed men first arrived at his residence, Baird was not at home as he had gone to the shops. They violently assaulted his brother while demanding to know his whereabouts,” the CDF statement read. When Gore returned, he walked straight into an ambush. He was seized, blindfolded, and bundled into the waiting vehicle before being whisked away to an unknown location.
The torture inflicted upon Gore was both physical and calculated. The CDF alleged that Gore sustained a suspected broken hand and other serious injuries, including to his back, from being beaten with switches and batons. Most chillingly, Gore alleged that during the torture, his captors deliberately ran over his legs with their vehicle—a tactic designed to leave lasting physical and psychological scars.
After hours of abuse, Gore was dumped at the City Sports Centre, just outside Harare’s central business district, at around 7:00 PM. Dazed and severely injured, he managed to contact his family with the help of a well-wisher. From there, the family proceeded to Glen Norah Police Station to file a formal report. In a move that initially seemed like standard procedure, the police issued Gore with a medical request form. He was then taken to a local hospital for urgent treatment. However, the safety of the medical facility proved to be an illusion.
“Tragically, before doctors could complete their medical assessment or inform him of the results of his X-rays, a team of armed uniformed and plain-clothes officers identifying themselves as members from Machipisa Police Station stormed the hospital around 2 AM,” the CDF reported.
The officers reportedly refused to wait for medical procedures to be finalised and forcibly removed Gore from his hospital bed. He was later found at Machipisa Police Station, where he remains in custody. This “coordinated pattern of abduction, torture and re-arrest,” the CDF argues, demonstrates that the organisation is now under siege.
The Opposition to ED2030
The opposition, civil society, and various stakeholders, including the CDF, have fiercely opposed these proposed constitutional changes. They argue that any such fundamental shift in the nation’s governing document requires a national referendum. The government and Zanu PF loyalists, however, insist that legislative approval is sufficient. Madock Chivasa, spokesperson for the NCA, condemned the tactics employed against activists:
“We condemn this cowardly attack. No amount of fear or threats will deter us from campaigning against the 2030 agenda. We are clear that the constitution must not be changed. As NCA we remain at the forefront to challenge that together with other Zimbabweans who share our position that we do not want the constitution to be changed to extend the presidential term of office. There will not be enough jails if the government decides to put those who are against the 2030 agenda in jail. It is not a crime to challenge the push by others in government to have the term of office extended.”
Tendai Biti, the CDF convener and former Finance Minister, condemned the treatment of Gore in the strongest possible terms. In a statement on X, Biti described the abduction and torture as “barbaric.”
“We condemn in the strongest terms the use of violence and terror tactics against any citizen. Citizens reject Constitutional Amendment No 1 of 2026. We reject the overthrow and coup d’état against the 2013 Constitution. It is our constitutional right to peacefully defend that Constitution.”
Senator Jameson Timba also weighed in on the matter, asserting the democratic right to engage in constitutional debate: “Engaging in constitutional debate is not subversion. It is a democratic right and duty.”
A Pattern of Repression and Legal Challenges
For seasoned observers of Zimbabwean politics, the incidents involving Gore, Sirora, and Taruona are not isolated events but part of a well-documented pattern of “pre-emptive” state violence. In August 2024, on the eve of the SADC Summit in Harare, activists Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, and Samuel Gwenzi were abducted from a departing plane and subjected to severe torture before being surfaced in court. The current crackdown appears to be a response to the CDF’s growing visibility. Gore was one of three members who had participated in a “peaceful walkabout” in CDF regalia over the weekend. The regime, seemingly rattled by the sight of organised resistance, has resorted to its traditional toolkit of intimidation.
The legal arguments against the amendments are grounded in the very document the government seeks to change. Obert Masaraure, a prominent activist and leader of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), pointed out the blatant attempt to bypass democratic safeguards.
“Furthermore, the proposed amendments represent a blatant attempt to bypass the democratic will. Since these amendments seek to extend the term of office for the incumbent, they must be subjected to a referendum. This is a mandatory requirement under section 328(7) of the Constitution, which explicitly states that an amendment to a term-limit provision cannot benefit the person who held that office before the amendment. Any attempt to circumvent this through legislative sleight of hand is a violation of section 328(9).”
Section 328 is the “entrenchment” clause of the Zimbabwean Constitution. It was specifically designed to prevent the kind of “constitutional coup” that the CDF alleges is currently underway. By requiring a referendum for any changes to term limits, the framers of the 2013 Constitution sought to ensure that power remains with the people.
The Narrative of “Stability” versus Democracy
The government’s push for the 2030 agenda is often framed by its proponents as a necessity for “economic stability” and the completion of “Vision 2030” projects. Exiled former Cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo has thrown his weight behind the amendments, arguing for their necessity. However, his critics have been quick to dismiss his support as “propaganda dressed in academic costumes.”
The reality on the ground in Glen Norah and other high-density areas tells a different story. It is a story of citizens who feel increasingly besieged by a state that views dissent as treason. The abduction of Baird Gore is a message sent to all who dare to say “no” to the extension of the President’s term. The police have remained tight-lipped, with no official comment obtained regarding the allegations of torture or the irregular removal of a patient from a hospital.
This “conspiracy of silence” from certain quarters of the political establishment further underscores the gravity of the situation. While some MPs vow to “block” the extension in Parliament, the physical struggle is being fought by those with the least protection. The current events challenge the narrative of a “peaceful transition” and expose the raw, violent underbelly of the current succession race, proving that for some, the 2030 goal is worth any price—even blood.
Conclusion
The escalating crackdown on the anti-2030 movement in Zimbabwe, marked by abductions, torture, and intimidation, reveals a state increasingly resorting to authoritarian tactics to silence dissent. The experiences of individuals like Naboth Sirora, Innocent Taruona, and Baird Gore highlight the severe risks faced by those who challenge the proposed constitutional amendments. The government’s insistence on legislative approval over a national referendum for term limit extensions, despite constitutional safeguards, raises serious concerns about the erosion of democratic principles.
As the nation grapples with these profound challenges, the international community watches closely, with human rights organisations calling for independent investigations into these grave violations. The struggle for constitutional integrity and democratic governance in Zimbabwe continues, with the voices of dissent facing a formidable and often brutal opposition. The true cost of the 2030 agenda, for many, is measured in their freedom, their safety, and their very lives.
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