Zimbabwe opposition plans protests

The Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) has announced plans to hold peaceful demonstrations in Harare on Saturday, as opposition parties and civic organisations intensify resistance against the ongoing public hearings on Constitutional Amendment Number 3 of 2026, which they have widely condemned as a sham.

Several organisations across the political divide have indicated that they will challenge the proposed amendments through legal channels, while also mobilising citizens for protests and potential stay-aways.

MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora described the public hearings as a "national embarrassment," telling Masvingo Mirror that his party would push for a national referendum.

"Public hearings cannot substitute the will of the people," Mwonzora said, adding that the amendment seeks to extend the terms of office for the President and Members of Parliament, who stand to benefit directly.

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), led by constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku, also dismissed the outreach programme as partisan. Madhuku said the NCA would pursue legal action alongside mass protests and possible stay-aways.

"These were ZANU-PF rallies where only trained supporters were allowed to speak. We will deal with the outcome and push for a referendum. We will take the legal route and mobilise peaceful protests, including asking people to stay at home in protest of this constitutional manipulation," he said.

The Constitutional Defenders Forum (CDF), led by convenor Tendai Biti, said it would escalate resistance through constitutional means.

Meanwhile, Jacob Ngarivhume, leader of the Transform Zimbabwe party and Finance and Administration Coordinator for the Defend the Constitution Platform, said opposition groups had disengaged from the official process and were preparing court action.

"We have disengaged from the consultations and the next step is to take the matter to court. We will file a Constitutional Court application with evidence that the process was unlawful," said Ngarivhume.

He added that alternative consultations would be conducted outside the official framework, involving political parties, civic groups, churches, and war veterans to gather citizens' views in line with constitutional provisions.

Critics argue that the Bill violates key constitutional safeguards, particularly the Bill of Rights. Mwonzora said the proposed law undermines citizens' right to vote, citing Section 67(6), and breaches Section 328(8), which prohibits incumbents from benefiting from constitutional amendments that extend their terms.

All civic organisations that spoke to Masvingo Mirror vowed to leave "no stone unturned" in opposing what they termed flawed and illegitimate public hearings, setting the stage for a potential escalation of political and legal battles over the proposed constitutional changes.