Violence erupts at opposition MDC meeting in Bulawayo

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change says unknown attackers disrupted a Women’s Assembly meeting in Bulawayo on Saturday, pelting members with stones during a gathering meant to mark International Women’s Day.

According to the party, the meeting was being held at the MDC provincial offices to discuss the contentious Constitutional Amendment Number 3, which among other proposals seeks to extend the term of office of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The MDC alleged that a group of hired thugs stormed the meeting and unleashed violence against the women attending the event, forcing disruption of the proceedings.

Party president Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the incident on social media, claiming the attackers targeted the meeting because of the party’s stance against the proposed constitutional changes.

“Some hired thugs are currently attacking the MDC Women Assembly meeting at the Provincial Offices in Bulawayo. The women are commemorating the International Women’s Day. The attackers made it clear that they are against the party stance on (Constitutional) Amendment 3,” Mwonzora wrote on X.

He also alleged that police officers present at the scene did not intervene while the attack was taking place.

“The police are standing and watching while thugs are pelting members of the MDC Women’s Assembly with stones at a meeting… This is retribution for our stance on the 2030 agenda,” he said.

The incident comes amid rising tensions in the political arena following recent assaults on members of the National Constitutional Assembly, including its leader Lovemore Madhuku.

Authorities had not yet commented on the alleged attack at the time of publication. *_-Bulawayo24_*