Zanu PF Has No Room For Phone Stealers: Chinamasa Says Luckmore Tinashe Gapa Faces Expulsion Over Doug Coltart Incident
ZANU PF Treasurer General Patrick Chinamasa says Central Committee member Luckmore Tinashe Gapa could face expulsion if allegations that he snatched lawyer Doug Coltart’s phone during chaotic public hearings in Harare are proven in court. Chinamasa insisted that the ruling party has “no room for phone stealers.”
The remarks follow the dramatic events of 31 March 2026 at the City Sports Centre in Harare, where a parliamentary public hearing on Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 turned chaotic and violent.
The incident saw human rights lawyer Doug Coltart allegedly attacked, his phone taken, and his glasses broken as tensions escalated during the meeting.
Chinamasa Says Party Will Act If Gapa Is Convicted
In a statement posted on 6 April 2026, ZANU-PF Treasurer General Patrick Chinamasa addressed the allegations involving Luckmore Tinashe Gapa and said the party would take disciplinary action if the claims are proven in court.
Introducing his remarks, Chinamasa stated:
“I cannot conclude this piece without commenting on the allegation made against ZANU PF Central Committee member, Luckmore Tinashe Gapa, that he snatched lawyer Doug Coltart’s cellphone, and that this was caught on camera.”
He described the allegations as serious and said they could damage the party’s image.
“This allegation is serious and highly defamatory against Luckmore Tinashe Gapa, and causes reputational damage to the public image of ZANU PF as an ideologically sound revolutionary party.”
Chinamasa confirmed that reports indicate Coltart has already filed criminal charges with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
“Media reports that Doug Coltart has filed crime charges against Luckmore Tinashe Gapa… with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), are understandable — well and good.”
He added that the party would not shield any member found guilty.
“If the Doug Coltart allegations are proven true in a court of law… Luckmore Tinashe Gapa would not escape disciplinary charges against him by ZANU PF.”
“No Room For Phone Stealers”
Chinamasa made it clear that a conviction could result in Gapa being hauled before the party’s disciplinary structures.
“If convicted, Luckmore Tinashe Gapa will be hauled before the ZANU PF National Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, to answer to the charges.”
He added that convicted members would not remain in leadership structures.
“The ZANU PF Central Committee is the highest organ of ZANU PF in between Congresses, and is made up of people of high integrity and probity.”
He continued:
“It will not have room for someone convicted of snatching or stealing cellphones from members of the public, even if the victims are members of the opposition.”
Incident At City Sports Centre
The comments come after violence broke out during the 31 March 2026 public hearing in Harare.
The hearing was part of nationwide consultations on Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 conducted between 16 February 2026 and 2 April 2026 across Zimbabwe’s 71 administrative districts.
According to Associated Press, tensions escalated when Coltart attempted to leave the venue.
The publication reports that he was shoved and slapped, and his mobile phone taken during the chaos. His glasses were also reportedly broken.
The meeting was one of several public hearings held nationwide ahead of parliamentary consideration of the proposed constitutional amendments.
Chinamasa described the City Sports Centre incident as the only problematic hearing during the consultation process.
“All went well countrywide except for the Public Hearing held at the City Sports Centre in Harare on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. This was the only bad apple.”
He also said some supporters were misled by what he described as provocations during the event.
“The City Sports Centre Public Hearing was marred by agents provocateurs and the naivety of some ZANU PF supporters.”
Chinamasa concluded his statement with a vernacular remark:
“Nokuti hatigoni kurega kutaura izvotakaona neizvotakanzwa.”
(“Because we cannot stop talking about what we saw and what we heard.”)
Police investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
The post Doug Coltart Phone Incident: ZANU PF Says Luckmore Tinashe Gapa Faces Expulsion, Insists Party Has No Room For Phone Stealers appeared first on iHarare News.
