A coalition behind today’s planned nationwide stay-away says its preliminary assessment shows reduced activity across the country, with quiet central business districts and lower school attendance.
Sungano yeVanhu – Ubumbano Lomphakathi (The People’s Coalition) said it had observed reduced movement and congestion in central business districts and increased deployment of police officers in urban centres.
The coalition, which is fronting what it calls the Constitutional Restoration Campaign against Constitutional Amendment Act No 6 of 2026 (formerly the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill), also reported an unusually high number of warrants of arrest issued by magistrates’ courts following the non-attendance of accused persons, which it attributed largely to transport challenges.
It further noted that there was no vendor activity at Freedom Square in Harare, with the area occupied by police and water cannons, and reports of reduced attendance at schools in several parts of the country.
“These are preliminary observations, and we continue to monitor developments across the country,” the coalition’s spokesperson Jacob Ngarivhume said.
“The indications so far suggest that many Zimbabweans have chosen to stay away as a peaceful expression of their views on Constitutional Amendment Act No. 6 of 2026.”
The stay-away was called by social media activists after Parliament passed the Bill, which was signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on July 7.
The Act extends the President’s term of office and scraps direct presidential elections.
In recent days, the government, police and the Zimbabwe National Army have warned against taking part in the protests.
Sungano yeVanhu – Ubumbano Lomphakathi commended citizens who have “continued to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly” and reiterated its call for calm, non-violence and strict adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law.
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