Introduction
Zimbabwe intensified its crackdown on dissent linked to opposition against the Constitution Amendment (No. 3) Bill. The restrictive political environment has primarily affected opposition parties, student activists, civil society organisations CSOs), human rights defenders (HRDs), journalists, and community-based activists. Universities have emerged as key spaces of mobilisation, with student leaders reportedly facing intimidation, arrests and surveillance. Civil society groups working on governance, electoral reform and constitutional rights have also faced increased restrictions, including tighter controls on public meetings, heavier policing of gatherings, and allegations of operating without proper authorisation.
BREAKING NEWS | Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa signs consitutional amendment law that extends Presidential term to 7 years, scraps direct Presidential election. pic.twitter.com/EoZWtiJ0sl
— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 7, 2026
General Update
Controversial law extending presidential term signed into law
On 16th February 2026, the Parliament of Zimbabwe introduced the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, known colloquially as (CAB3), a proposed constitutional amendment that generated significant political and civic debate in Zimbabwe. The Bill proposed far-reaching changes to the 2013 Constitution by replacing the direct popular election of the President with a system in which the President would be elected by a joint sitting of Parliament. Under the proposed arrangement, Members of Parliament and Senators would vote to elect the President, rather than citizens voting directly in national presidential elections.
The Bill also sought to extend the terms of office of the President, Parliament, and local authorities from five years to seven years. Transitional provisions would apply the new term lengths to current officeholders, a proposal that critics say could effectively extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond the 2028 election cycle and potentially until 2030.
Additional provisions would expand the Senate by allowing the President to appoint ten additional senators, transfer responsibility for voter registration and maintenance of the voters' roll from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the Registrar-General and establish a separate Electoral Delimitation Commission to oversee constituency boundary reviews. The Bill would also abolish the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, transferring their functions to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
The government described these reforms as measures to strengthen constitutional governance, improve institutional efficiency, promote political stability and align Zimbabwe's constitutional framework with practices found in other African jurisdictions.
However, opposition parties, constitutional lawyers, and CSOs strongly criticised the Bill, arguing that it weakens democratic accountability, reduces citizens' direct influence over presidential elections, concentrates power in the executive, and undermines key checks and balances established under Zimbabwe's 2013 Constitution. Public hearings on the Bill between March and April 2026 were also contentious, with observers citing overcrowding, political tensions, and barriers to participation that undermined meaningful public consultation and discouraged freedom of expression for dissenting views. On 7th July 2026, President Mnagangwa signed the Bill into law.
Association
Use of Public Order Laws against constitutional amendment critics
On 21st March 2026, Tendai Biti and Morgan Ncube, who are the convenor and Programs Director of the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) respectively; journalist Fanuel Chinowaita and lawyer Nyasha Gerald Mukonyora were arrested in Mutare while attending a meeting related to opposition against the proposed Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill. Authorities alleged that the group had violated the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) by convening a gathering without notifying the police.
Of the four individuals arrested, Nyasha Gerald Mukonyora and Fanuel Chinowaita were released without charge after being detained for several hours. Tendai Biti and Morgan Ncube, however, were formally charged with contravening the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act.
Supporters of Biti and Ncube disputed the charges, arguing that the meeting was a private gathering and therefore did not require prior notification from the police under the law. CDF condemned the arrests, describing them as politically motivated and intended to suppress opposition to the proposed constitutional amendments.
On 23rd March 2026, a court granted bail to both Tendai Biti and Morgan Ncube. Each was released on bail of US$500 and ordered to report regularly to the police. The court also imposed conditions restricting them from holding public meetings without police authorisation.
CDF criticised the bail conditions, arguing that they infringed upon constitutionally protected rights, including freedom of assembly, association, expression, and political participation.
Peaceful Assembly
Detained opposition activist acquitted
On 3rd June 2026, opposition activist Godfrey Chidhau Karembera was acquitted and discharged alongside co-accused Jim Kunaka and Jestere Malcom Masarira. Karembera was arrested on 20th October 2025 and charged with incitement to commit public violence after being accused of playing a role in mobilising participants for planned anti-government protests, including the proposed “One Million Men March” that was to be held on 17th October 2025 to oppose President Emmerson Mnangagwa and broader efforts to extend presidential tenure through constitutional changes. The State further claimed that Karembera was linked to the distribution of flyers promoting the protests. Karembera, however, maintained that he was abducted and tortured prior to his formal arrest. According to his lawyers and family, unidentified men forcibly seized him, assaulted him, and later handed him over to police custody.
The case drew significant attention as Karembera was repeatedly denied bail and remained in custody throughout the trial process.
The acquittal was welcomed by opposition figures and civil society groups as a victory for due process and political freedoms. However, organisations such as Human Rights Watch noted that his prolonged pre-trial detention of more than seven months raised ongoing concerns about the use of extended incarceration in politically sensitive cases in Zimbabwe.
Criminalisation of student activism opposing constitutional amendment
There has been a broader pattern of state crackdown on student activists opposing the Constitutional Amendment (No.3) Bill, particularly through arrests, abductions, and prosecutions linked to protest activity and political expression.
On 14th April 2026, former ZINASU president Emmanuel Sitima and ZINASU provincial leader Takunda Mhuka were arrested and charged with malicious damage to property for allegedly breaking a window at a ruling party official’s residence, as well as for distributing flyers opposing the constitutional amendment under the slogan “No to 2030.” Both were denied bail and remained in custody awaiting trial.
On 30th March 2026, ZINASU Secretary General Munashe Dongonda was abducted and assaulted by unidentified men in civilian clothing after attending a public consultation in Nketa, Bulawayo. He was accused of “causing chaos” during a student protest against the constitutional amendment. On the same day, Denford Sithole, a youth activist and member of the Defend the Constitution Platform (DCP), was also abducted after speaking out against the constitutional amendment at the same consultation. He was severely assaulted, interrogated for several hours, and later handed over to police, where he was charged with “disorderly conduct.” He was fined and released, but subsequently went into hiding due to ongoing surveillance and threats.
Also on 30th March 2026, Tafara Magodora, a student leader at Bindura University of Science Education, was abducted while organising transport for students to attend public consultations on CAB3. He was accused of “causing chaos” at the university, detained for two days at Bindura Central Police Station and later charged with assault. He was released on bail pending trial, while also reportedly going into hiding after receiving threats.
Earlier, In November 2025, Marlvin Madanda and Lindon Zanga were allegedly abducted while campaigning at Chinhoyi University of Technology. They were reportedly assaulted and tortured before being charged with disorderly conduct and later brought before the courts. In August 2025, three unnamed students from Midlands State University were arrested after distributing flyers opposing the constitutional amendment. They were charged with subverting a constitutional government, detained for 14 days, and later released on bail pending trial.
CSOs have called for an end to the criminalisation of student activism, the cessation of arbitrary arrests, abductions and politically motivated prosecutions, and the protection of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
Expression
Journalists obstructed and intimidated at CAB3 public hearings
On 31st March 2026, journalists covering parliamentary public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill at the City Sports Centre in Harare were subjected to intimidation, harassment and obstruction. The hearings, held to gather public input on proposed constitutional amendments, were disrupted when individuals alleged to be supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party stormed the venue, preventing opposition speakers from addressing the gathering and creating a hostile environment for the media.
Journalists reported being trapped inside the venue and told they could not leave unless they deleted footage they had recorded. Several were threatened, harassed, and pressured to erase material documenting disruptions and alleged attacks on opposition and civil society participants. Some reporters were also questioned by individuals identifying themselves as state security agents about their media affiliations and coverage of the proceedings. Others described attempts by groups of youths to block cameras, confiscate equipment, and prevent filming of the events.
At least one journalist sustained injuries during the chaos, including damage to personal property, after being caught in a stampede as tensions escalated inside the venue. Media practitioners present said the incidents significantly interfered with their ability to report on matters of public interest relating to the constitutional amendment process.
Media organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe), condemned the harassment of journalists and called on authorities to ensure that media workers are able to carry out their duties safely and without interference.
Journalist faces reprisal after attending Human Rights Summit
On 9th March 2026, a warrant of arrest was issued against HSTV journalist Blessed Mhlanga following his participation in the 18th UN Summit for Human Rights and Democracy in Geneva, Switzerland. During the summit, Mhlanga spoke about restrictions on media freedom in Zimbabwe and described his previous detention as part of a broader pattern of repression against independent journalists and government critics. Following his return, reports indicated that the Zimbabwe Republic Police sought to investigate and potentially charge him in relation to statements made during his address at the summit.
The warrant was issued after Mhlanga failed to appear before the court, with his legal representatives stating that he was receiving medical treatment in South Africa at the time. HRDs and media freedom organisations expressed concern that the actions against him amounted to reprisals for engaging with an international human rights forum and exercising his right to freedom of expression.