Zimbabwe: Police Ramp Up Security Ahead of Planned July 31 Shutdown Over Constitutional Changes

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a New Zimbabwe report dated July 30, 2026, said the Zimbabwe Republic Police had placed officers around the country ahead of a planned July 31 nationwide shutdown. The police said the deployments were intended to preserve public order as tensions rose after President Emmerson Mnangagwa assented earlier in the month to Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3.

According to the report, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the national security environment was calm and encouraged people to continue with ordinary activities. He also asked members of the public to report alleged threats, intimidation, harassment or other criminal conduct to local police stations or the National Complaints Desk.

The planned action has been backed by calls from opposition figures, civil society groups and government critics for peaceful demonstrations or a stay-away opposing the constitutional changes. New Zimbabwe reported that the People's Coalition, formally Sungano yeVanhu-Ubumbano loMphakathi, has endorsed the citizen-led stay-away while saying it is not organising it. The coalition has urged peaceful conduct, respect for the law and tolerance toward those who do not participate.

The dispute matters because the amendment has become a focal point for broader concerns over constitutionalism and democratic governance in Zimbabwe. The People's Coalition is challenging CAA3 in the Constitutional Court, arguing that the process used to enact it was unconstitutional. Separately, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference has warned that the changes could weaken democratic governance and has called for dialogue and peaceful resolution of political differences.