A quiet day in Harare after Zimbabwe’s shutdown call

Harare’s streets have been quieter than usual as residents wait to see whether a call for a nationwide shutdown against constitutional changes would lead to protests. The first thing that stood out was the traffic. Cars on the roads leading into the city centre on Friday were fewer than usual.

The morning rush hour that normally fills the capital’s streets was missing, and the journey into Harare’s central business district was quicker than expected. For a normal working day in Zimbabwe, the difference was noticeable. Police were deployed across Harare as opposition groups and civil society activists called for a nationwide shutdown over constitutional changes.

Critics said the amendments could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s time in office until 2030. Across the city, the security presence was difficult to miss. Police blocked access to a popular park where people often gather, making it clear that no one would be allowed inside.

Nearby, water cannon trucks were parked in an open space that has been used for previous demonstrations. An uneasy morning By about 8:30 am (06:30 GMT), parts of Harare’s central business district were slowly coming to life. In areas where taxis operate and small businesses line the streets, some shops had opened while others remained closed.

The heavy police presence showed that authorities were prepared for possible demonstrations, which police have banned. In Zimbabwe, public gatherings require police approval, and opposition groups have repeatedly criticised restrictions on protests. As the day continued, Harare remained calm.

The dispute behind the shutdown The shutdown call followed constitutional amendments approved by Zimbabwe’s Parliament and signed into law in July. The changes move the next presidential election from 2028 to 2030 and extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five years to seven. They also change how future presidents are chosen, replacing a direct presidential election by voters with a system in which the president would be elected by parliament.