HIS demands were anchored on the need for government to fight corruption and rot in Zimbabwe.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA/EVERSON MUSHAVA
Pastor Evan Mawarire was supposed to be tried at the Rotten Row Magistrates’ Courts. But it all crumbled like a deck of cards as the State’s case vanished like dew drops in summer.
Not even his most fervent sympathisers could have dreamt of a day like this one, but a 12-hour vigil ended in a night of high political drama, suspense and intrigue rarely seen, in our political minefield and ultimately with the shocking release of detained Mawarire.
At exactly 19:30pm, Mawarire walked out of the magistrates’ courts a free man. Harare was drowned by blaring car horns, some had perched in trees and for a moment Zimbabweans forgot their sorrows. Mawarire spoke for about a minute, but even then his voice was drowned in the euphoria.
“The Zimbabwe you are building is for your children. Let us not stop building. God be with you,” he said before he was whisked away. An electric atmosphere had engulfed Zimbabwe’s biggest magistrates’ courts with Mawarire’s case. Magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe was supposed to hear the case in which Mawarire aka #ThisFlag Pastor was accused of inciting public violence.
The flag-waving Mawarire had declared he is not aligned to any political party. His colleague in another social group #Tajamuka/Sesijikile Promise Mkwananzi described Mawarire as “our own version of Martin Luther King”.
“He is our Martin Luther King. He has committed no crime and the people you see here are just, but part of millions of Zimbabweans who feel the same way he does and identify with his ideals,” Mkwananzi said.
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In an unprecedented show of support for a victim of State harassment, thousands of Zimbabweans descended and maintained a vigil at the courts and tellingly sang “Mambo Pharaoh sunungura vana avo” loosely translated to “King Pharaoh let my people go” a derisive reference to long-ruling President Robert Mugabe.
Throw in a poignant moment, when thousands went down on their knees outside the courtroom in prayer for Mawarire’s release and one paints a picture of the mood of a day that could be one of the most defining moments in Zimbabwe’s long fight for democracy and change at the apex of its political leadership.
In a video footage released in the aftermath of his arrest Mawarire urged his supporters: “You are watching this video because I have been arrested, maybe we will see each other again, maybe not, but arresting me will not make the problems go away.”
Zimbabwe’s opposition aristocrats were conspicuous by their absence save for a few MPs and the presence of dozens of legal practitioners, former Commercial Farmers’ Union president Ben Freeth, human rights activists among them Jestina Mukoko and a host of church leaders provide a clear illustration of the man that is Mawarire.
“We have all had enough and we want a government that is for the people and not for politicians. It is the feeling across colour and creed, black or white, rich or poor. Their time is up,” Freeth told NewsDay. Over 50 legal practitioners raised their practising badges after Chikwekwe asked who would be representing Mawarire. Zimbabwe’s rulers must have been shocked to the core.
Outside the court they cried, danced, sang and ululated and as night fell candles were lit, tensions rose but the singing continued including songs directly denigrating Mugabe and accusing him of selling out to the Chinese. In between the excruciating wait had begun mid-morning and as usual Mugabe’s lieutenants decided to play “house” with Mawarire.
After bringing Mawarire to court for his 8:30am scheduled appearance before Chikwekwe, police turned around and sneaked him back to Harare Central Police Station with rumours circulating authorities were scared they could be an audacious bid to “free Mawarire illegally”.
“We just hear police are afraid that the people here might try to free him,” a family spokesperson Henry Munangatire said.
“It is sad to see someone who loves this country to lend his voice to the struggle facing Zimbabweans being harassed. The charges are outrageous and it has been difficult for the family.”
Mkwananzi then addressed the swelling crowds. “We are not here to cause any trouble and would want to appeal to the authorities to exercise restraint. We are here in solidarity with Mawarire and we mean no harm to anyone. We are not going to try anything illegal,” Mkwananzi said to applause.
As if they had listened to the impromptu speech, about 20 minutes later, Mawarire was brought back this time through the back door.
But his supporters realised it and starting chanting Father Zimbabwe Evan Mawarire and went into a droning sound mocking police and prison guards.
Mawarire has been at the forefront of a fresh-call for Mugabe to either find solutions to the country’s near-two-decade long crisis or step-aside.
The former guerrilla leader has responded in typical brutal fashion, bludgeoning protesting citizens into a pulp and rounding up organisers.
Court 6 was packed and there was shoving and pushing at the main entrance and hordes tried to force their way in. Chikwekwe for a moment disappeared. He could not be found and when he finally appeared, one of the investigating officers informed the court he had “forgotten the State’s bail opposing papers at home”.
The case was postponed to 2:15pm. When proceedings resumed after lunch, the State had changed charges from inciting public violence to subverting a constitutionally elected government. This was nothing short of accusing the man of cloth of treason!
MDC-T MP and ex-Cabinet minister Nelson Chamisa remarked: “It’s dangerous for government to be fixated upon arresting people than arresting problems.”
Zimbabwe People First spokesperson Jealous Mawarire led the prayers.
“Our dear God, we know you are the God of truth, you are indeed the truth let the truth prevail. The truth is he is hungry like many of us; he failed to pay school fees for his children like many of us,” he said in part.
Police armed to the teeth watched in awe. The script for this opera sounds more Shakespearean that real and might likely continue.
In a single swoop, Mugabe turned Mawarire into a political phenomenon.
