Harare streets quiet amid Zimbabwe shutdown call over constitutional changes

Harare's streets were noticeably quieter than usual on Friday, with fewer cars and a less crowded central business district, as residents waited to see if a call for a nationwide shutdown would materialize. Opposition groups and civil society activists had urged citizens to stay home to protest constitutional changes that critics argue could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.

Authorities appeared prepared for potential demonstrations, deploying a significant police presence across the capital. Police blocked access to a popular gathering park and stationed water cannon trucks nearby, signaling a readiness to prevent any protests, which had been banned. Despite the security measures, parts of the city began to show signs of life by mid-morning, with some shops opening while others remained closed.

The constitutional amendments, approved by Parliament and signed into law in July, extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and shift the next presidential election from 2028 to 2030. They also alter the presidential selection process, moving from a direct popular vote to election by parliament. The government defends these changes as measures to reduce political tensions and foster stability.

However, the amendments have drawn sharp criticism from opposition and civil society organizations. For some, like Godfrey Gurira, a veteran of Zimbabwe's liberation war, the changes represent a betrayal of the ideals fought for. "When we went to war, we were fighting for the people," he told Al Jazeera. "We were fighting for one man, one vote. That’s what we want to see happening. We were not fighting for a dynasty or anything along those lines."

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When we went to war, we were fighting for the people. We were fighting for one man, one vote. That’s what we want to see happening. We were not fighting for a dynasty or anything along those lines.