A MEMBER of the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF), which is opposed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure extension through a constitutional amendment, was abducted on Tuesday night and severely tortured before being dumped in police cells.
The abduction of Baird Gore from Glen Norah, Harare, comes amid rising political tensions following the gazetting of the proposed constitutional amendments.
The proposed amendments were first tabled during a Cabinet meeting last week before the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, gazetted them.
The proposed amendments seek to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure by two years, while also proposing several other changes in what critics have described as a constitutional overhaul, including the scrapping of presidential elections.
Instead, if the proposed amendments are passed, the President would be chosen by Members of Parliament (MPs).
The opposition, civil society, and stakeholders, including the CDF, have opposed the proposed amendments to the Constitution, arguing that a referendum is necessary. However, the government, Zanu PF and its loyalists insist that there is no need for a referendum.
As the debate rages on, a CDF member was seized from his home by unknown armed men driving a black Ford Raptor, the organisation said.
“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 [Baird] whereabouts,” the CDF statement read.
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“Baird arrived during the assault and was immediately seized, blindfolded and taken to an unknown location.
“He was severely beaten and interrogated about CDF convener Tendai Biti and the organisation’s strategy to resist the unconstitutional 2030 agenda.”
The CDF alleged that Baird sustained a suspected broken hand and other serious injuries, including to his back, from being beaten with switches and batons.
After hours of abuse, he was dumped at the City Sports Centre just outside the central business district at around 7pm, the CDF said.
“With the assistance of a well-wisher, he contacted his family and proceeded to Glen Norah Police Station, where a report was filed.
“He was issued with a medical request form and taken to a local hospital for urgent treatment.
“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 2am.
“They refused to wait for medical procedures to be finalised and forcibly removed him from the hospital.”
He was later dumped at Machipisa Police Station, the CDF said.
“This co-ordinated pattern of abduction, torture and re-arrest demonstrates that CDF is now under siege.”
No comment could be obtained from the police.
In a statement on X, Biti condemned the abduction and torture of the CDF member as barbaric.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the use of violence and terror tactics against any citizen,” Biti said.
“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.”
Added activist Obert Masaraure: “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).”
Exiled former Cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo has thrown his weight behind the proposed constitutional amendments, which seek to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure and overhaul several sections of the Constitution.
His critics have accused him of propaganda dressed in academic costumes.
Mnangagwa’s tenure constitutionally expires in 2028.
