Harare – As the Zimbabwean government readies itself for the “#Shut Down” campaign set for Wednesday and Thursday, police have targeted known activists in an apparent attempt to stifle the intended protests.
In Harare, police arrested “#ThisFlag” twitter campaign organiser and activist Pastor Evan Mawarire on Tuesday and charged him with inciting violence.
Mawarire is regarded as the key person behind the demonstrations that rocked the country last week which saw the national shutdown of schools, shops, businesses and public transport.
Mawarire is being accused of stealing police helmets and baton sticks which he allegedly used to incite public violence during the July 6 protests.
According to a search warrant issued by the court on Tuesday, there were reasonable grounds to believe that Mawarire was in possession of the items.
“Evan Mawarire is believed to be in possession of a stolen police helmet, baton stick and other subversive material which he used to incite public violence on 6 July 2016 and others for intended use on 13 July 2016 for public violence,” read part of the warrant.
It further stated that the items could be used as evidence of commitment of an offence or suspected commission of an offence.
“Of incitement to commit public violence as defined in Section 187 (1)(a) as read with section 36 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.”
Mawarire, who was accompanied by his lawyer, handed himself over to the police on Tuesday morning with his flag and bible, but did not have his cellphone.
Head of CID Law and Order section, Chrispen Makedenge, was reportedly seeking a warrant from the magistrate’s court to get access to his mobile phone, which the State believes was being used to send messages about the protests to citizens.
Mawarire’s lawyer, Harrison Nkomo of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, confirmed the development, saying Mawarire had been charged under Section 187 of the Criminal Law Act.
He said the police had taken Mawarire to his house at Monmouse Avenue in Avondale for searches and were heading to his church offices at Van Praagh Avenue in Milton Park for further searches.
Almost 10 detectives from the law and order section conducted the searches.
In Masvingo, pro-democracy campaigner Prosper Tiringindi, who is also the Coordinator for the Masvingo Residents Trust, was summoned to court to answer to charges of disorderly conduct, while MDC-T legislator, Thabitha Khumalo was also summoned to Bulawayo Central Police Station.
Khumalo was accompanied to the station by lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
This comes hot on the heels of the arrest of #Tajamuka member, Promise Mkwananzi and other activists last week on charges of public violence.
African News Agency