On Tuesday, 14 July 2026, two female activists, Diloris Paziman and Nobuhle Maseko, were attacked by suspected state agents in Gweru, Midlands Province. The assault followed their participation in a peaceful demonstration against the signing of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 into law. CAB3 extends the term of office of the President of Zimbabwe by two additional years, from 2028 to 2030.(CAB3).
During the demonstration, the two leaders were physically assaulted and chased away by the suspected agents. The attack marked an escalation in the targeting of women who are speaking out against constitutional changes that concentrate executive power.
Later that same evening, the homes of both activists were broken into by the same group of suspects. The intruders demanded to see Paziman and Maseko with the stated intention of taking them to a police station to answer for unspecified crimes. Fortunately, both women had already left the city and were not present at the time of the raid.
This incident reflects a broader pattern. Since the signing of CAB3, there has been a documented increase in human rights violations across the country. The state appears to be on high alert for any signs of resistance, and dissent is increasingly being met with intimidation, surveillance and violence.
Women’s rights organisations have strongly condemned the victimisation and harassment of women leaders. They warn that such attacks create a chilling effect that deters women from participating in civic and leadership spaces. When women who speak out are targeted both in public and in their homes, it sends a clear message aimed at silencing women’s political voices.
The organisations are calling for an immediate end to the harassment and intimidation of activists, a transparent investigation into the attacks on Paziman and Maseko and for the state to uphold its constitutional obligations to protect the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and security of person for all Zimbabweans.