The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has condemned the death of a Chitungwiza opposition activist who succumbed to injuries sustained in an alleged politically motivated assault, saying no Zimbabwean should lose their life because of their political views.
The human rights organisation was responding to the death of Kelvin Bhonzo, whose assault it documented in its June 2026 Human Rights Monitoring Report.
According to ZPP, Bhonzo was allegedly attacked by suspected Zanu-PF supporters because he was associated with opposition to the then Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), which has since been enacted as Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 (CAA3).
“The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) mourns the passing of Kelvin Bhonzo, who died after injuries from violence in Chitungwiza, captured in our June report. No one should lose their life due to their political views. Political violence and impunity must end,” the organisation said in a statement.
On this topic
Bhonzo’s death comes amid continuing concerns over political intolerance during debate on CAB3.
Throughout the Bill’s passage, citizens, activists and opposition politicians reported harassment, intimidation and violence after expressing opposition to the proposed constitutional changes.
During parliamentary public hearings held across the country earlier this year, several meetings were disrupted after suspected Zanu-PF supporters allegedly heckled speakers opposed to the Bill and, in some cases, assaulted participants.
Civil society organisations and opposition parties accused ruling party supporters of intimidating citizens and undermining meaningful public participation.
Despite the controversy, the Bill was enacted as Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 on 7 July 2026.
In its June report, ZPP said it documented nine violations of the right to personal security during the month.
“In June, the Zimbabwe Peace Project documented nine violations of the right to personal security, reflecting a continued pattern of politically motivated violence, abuse of authority and arbitrary use of force,” the report states.
Among the cases highlighted was the assault on Bhonzo.
“A CCC member and coordinator from Chitungwiza North sustained severe head injuries after he was assaulted by Zanu PF supporters because of his close association with Member of Parliament Godfrey Sithole, who opposed Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 during parliamentary debates.”
The report also documented other incidents linked to perceived political affiliation and opposition to the constitutional amendments.
In Goromonzi’s Ward 8, a man wearing Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) regalia was allegedly attacked with a machete by unknown assailants who accused him of supporting the opposition.
“The victim was wearing regalia for the CCC and was accused of being an ‘enemy,’ leading to the assault, demonstrating how perceived political affiliation continues to expose citizens to violent reprisals,” the report says.
In another incident, a village head in Mutare North’s Ward 2 was allegedly assaulted by ruling party supporters who suspected him of mobilising residents against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
According to ZPP, the incident reflected “ongoing intimidation linked to political participation and freedom of opinion.”
The report also cited an incident in Gwanda in which police officers allegedly assaulted a man after wrongly suspecting him of involvement in a public fight.
“These incidents illustrate a worrying trend in which political intolerance, abuse of state authority and arbitrary violence continue to undermine the rights to personal security and restrict citizens’ ability to exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation,” ZPP said.
Overall, the organisation said it documented 228 human rights violations affecting 5,996 people across Zimbabwe in June.
According to the report, the victims included 3,071 men, 2,925 women and 72 people with disabilities.
ZPP said the violations included threats to personal security, harassment and intimidation, restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly and association, discrimination, denial of access to social services, and abuse of authority in the distribution of government assistance.
“These patterns continue to undermine civic participation, political inclusion, and equal access to public services,” the organisation said.
Masvingo recorded the highest number of reported violations, followed by Manicaland, Harare and Mashonaland Central.
According to ZPP’s analysis, Zanu-PF members accounted for the largest share of documented perpetrators, alongside state actors and other non-state actors.
The organisation also raised concern over what it described as increasing digital harassment targeting human rights defenders, political actors, students and civic activists.
Among its recommendations, ZPP commended communities that had peacefully supported Zimbabweans returning from South Africa and called for continued efforts to protect their rights and ensure their reintegration was conducted with dignity.
It urged citizens, policymakers, civil society organisations and development partners to engage with its findings to strengthen evidence-based advocacy and promote the protection of human rights in Zimbabwe.
Leave a Reply