Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
Bulawayo — A video report by Zim GBC News documenting public opposition to the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3) in Bulawayo has been viewed over 19,000 times on YouTube since it aired last week. But the story behind the story has now emerged: five unknown men attacked the Zim GBC News crew during the coverage – and an investigative journalist has traced two of them to ordinary Zanu-PF supporters, not government security operatives.
The attack, which occurred in full view of Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers, has sparked outrage among viewers, many of whom took to the comments section to condemn both the violence and the proposed constitutional changes.
‘They acted like CIO’
During the filming of public hearings on the controversial Bill – which seeks to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and effectively suspend the 2028 elections – five men confronted the Zim GBC News team, grabbing a microphone and attempting to confiscate a video camera.
Witnesses said the men behaved “as if they were from the government’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).” However, a follow-up investigation by Zim GBC News’s investigative desk has established that the attackers were not state security agents.
“Two of the five men who attacked the Zim GBC News crew are mere Zanu-PF supporters,” the publication established.
The alleged ringleader, according to sources, is a conductor for a prominent bus company that operates routes including Bulawayo–Harare, Bulawayo–Victoria Falls, and Harare–Mutare. When this reporter visited the bus rank on George Silundika Street and Fourth Avenue, the conductor reportedly saw the journalist approaching and hid. Investigations are ongoing to establish his full identity.
A second attacker – the man seen on camera trying to grab the microphone from the reporter before eventually confiscating the video camera – is said to hold a senior position in the organisation Mahwindi for ED.
He is also believed to be the owner of the white Honda Fit used to intimidate the reporters on that day.
Police inaction baffles journalists
Perhaps most disturbing to the Zim GBC News team was the response of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“All this happened in front of ZRP details,” the report states.
“When this reporter asked the ZRP to arrest these culprits, he was told to go and report at the Central Police Station Charge Office, some two hundred meters away.”
No arrests have been made to date.
‘Bussed-in’ crowds, not Bulawayo residents
The investigation also uncovered a troubling pattern regarding the composition of the crowd at the Bulawayo hearings.
“It has turned out that most of these people were not from Bulawayo, but had been bussed in from nearby Shona‑speaking areas of the country,” the report found.
Over a thousand people were seated outside the venue.
One YouTube user, @bhekulwazimoya9100, commented: “Those people are not from Bulawayo – they were brought there and told what to say.”
Another viewer, @MrMusaton, added:
“They bused people into Bulawayo for the residents to not have a voice. Same as Chitungwiza. It’s bad.”
Viewers speak out: ‘No to 2030’
The YouTube comments section has become a barometer of public sentiment, with the vast majority of those who commented expressing opposition to the Constitutional Amendment Bill.
@whateverhoweva wrote:
“Now this is journalism!!!!! Keep it up, do not fear.”
@AntonyMpofu-p6e commented on the footage of a female interviewee who struggled to explain the Bill: “Umama lowu kukomnyama ubambile. This woman doesn’t know what to say. No to 2030.”
@ProgressGandidze-g4d said:
“WELL DONE SON. Keep teaching people – they don’t know what Amendment Bill 3 means. Please keep it up so people know and understand.”
@PrinceMadumane-h4e was scathing:
“Kunzima yaz. These kids don’t know anything. Mina ngokwa angiboni amadevelopments. CIO? What matsotsi. Zanu PF system.”
@mtdresearch532provided a detailed analysis:
“The very people who sacrificed their youth to end minority rule under Ian Smith are now being accused of creating a new form of minority rule… The bill confirms the fears: the death of ‘one man, one vote’; the 2030 extension; reclaiming the tools of oppression.”
@jamesndemera975 expressed concern:
“It is very worrying that those you interviewed were of mixed ages and had a similar opinion of wanting ED to continue. One wonders the level of brainwashing that has occurred.”
A ‘spaza shop’ and a warning
Some comments were brief but cutting. @vhafuwimbedzi6318 simply wrote:
“Zimbabwe is a spaza shop.”
@missmadas203 issued a stark warning:
“People will die by the time this shit ends. Mnangagwa is ready to kill the whole country in a flash like he did during Gukurahundi.”
Others praised the journalism itself. @TheDrewrules said: “Great Journalism! Real Journalism!”
@simbarashemukwada6214 added:
“Wonderful my brother.”
‘People don’t understand the Bill’
A recurring theme in the comments was that ordinary citizens have not been properly informed about the Bill’s contents.
@venanciamukanda3587 observed:
“Vano vatya kutaura chokwadi pamberi pecamera. And it looks like people in Zimbabwe don’t understand Bill 3. This is how they are robbed of it.”
@herbertsaiba250
lamented:
“I’m disappointed ngalaba abantwana. They don’t even know a payslip.”
@RejoiceNyamunda-b1u added:
“Most people don’t know about the content of the Bill but they are in support of it. Sad how people support the Bill that will bring more suffering and take away people’s right.”
Call for accountability
Zim GBC News continues to investigate the identities of the remaining three attackers and is calling on the ZRP to act on the evidence already gathered.
As one viewer,
@ChamuMash, put it:
“What is disheartening about the amendment of this Bill is that those supporting it are not well informed – this was done purposefully.”
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