Zimbabwe coalition plans nationwide mass action over constitutional amendments

A broad coalition of churches, labour unions, civic groups, students, war veterans and opposition political leaders is planning nationwide peaceful mass action to challenge Zimbabwe’s newly enacted constitutional amendments, with former Highfield MP Munyaradzi Gwisai saying popular mobilisation will be central to efforts to restore the Constitution.

Gwisai’s remarks came as the coalition launched Sungano yeVanhu–Ubumbano Lomphakathi (The Peoples Coalition), which has since launched an operation to restore the Constitution a day after President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed Constitutional Amendment Act No. 6 of 2026, formerly Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), into law.

“The fundamental resolution of this crisis is going to be the people of Zimbabwe in mass action exercising their sovereign power under the Constitution. So, that is where we are going,” Gwisayi said at a press briefing in Harare on Wednesday.

The coalition said it was preparing a two-pronged strategy that includes a Constitutional Court challenge against the amendments and nationwide peaceful civic mobilisation aimed at restoring the Constitution.

Convened by Reverend Kupukwashe Mtata, the coalition brings together churches, constitutional advocacy groups, labour organisations, students, women’s organisations, residents’ associations, liberation war veterans, civic organisations and opposition political leaders.

Prominent members include former Finance minister Tendai Biti, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Jameson Timba, Jacob Ngarivhume and Munyaradzi Gwisai.

Mtata said the coalition’s campaign had entered a new phase following the enactment of the constitutional amendments.

“Our struggle was to defend the Constitution from an impending violation. Today, our struggle is to restore constitutional order,” he said.

The movement said it had instructed its legal team to immediately file proceedings in the Constitutional Court challenging the validity of Constitutional Amendment Act No. 6 of 2026.

At the same time, it announced plans for constitutional education campaigns, public meetings, petitions, prayer gatherings, peaceful demonstrations and other lawful activities across the country.

The coalition said it had begun consultations with churches, labour unions, students, women’s groups, youth organisations, residents’ associations, professional bodies, business leaders, traditional leaders, liberation war veterans and political formations before launching coordinated nationwide peaceful mass action.

“Upon completion of these consultations, the nation will be informed of the agreed programme and the date on which the nationwide peaceful mass action will commence,” the coalition said.

Mtata said the campaign would remain peaceful and constitutional.

“Our methods shall remain peaceful. Our conduct shall remain disciplined. Our struggle shall remain constitutional. Violence has no place in constitutional restoration,” he said.

The coalition also appealed to SADC, the African Union and the international community to support its campaign.

Constitutional Amendment Act No. 6 of 2026 replaces direct presidential elections with an indirect system under which voters elect Members of Parliament, who then elect the President.

It also extends the terms of the President and Members of Parliament from five years to seven years.

The Government and Zanu-PF say the amendments will improve governance and reduce the costs associated with frequent elections, while critics argue they weaken democratic accountability and undermine the 2013 Constitution.