Harare, Zimbabwe – On Friday, August 2, 2026, the streets of Harare were noticeably quieter than usual as residents awaited the impact of a nationwide shutdown call by opposition groups and civil society activists. The shutdown was organized in protest against proposed constitutional changes that critics say could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s time in office until 2030.
Traffic into the city center was lighter, with fewer cars on the roads and a missing morning rush hour, making travel into Harare’s central business district quicker than usual. Police were deployed throughout the city in response to the shutdown call, reflecting heightened tensions.
Mnangagwa, who came to power in 2017 after the removal of longtime leader Robert Mugabe, commented on the political cycle, stating, “We have noted that there is a sequence which follows a five-year electoral cycle.” Meanwhile, Marapira, a political analyst, said the constitutional changes would reduce periods of heightened political tension before elections.
The security presence across Harare was significant, underscoring the government's cautious approach amid the political unrest.
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