JOHANNESBURG, July 12 (ANA) – Rights body Amnesty International has lambasted Zimbabwe’s government over the arrest of Pastor Evan Mawarire, who is one of the people behind the two-day stay-away called for Wednesday and Thursday.
Mawarire was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly inciting violence under his #ThisFlag campaign. He had responded to a summon from the Criminal Investigation Department at Harare Central Police Station when he was locked up.
“The arrest of Pastor Evan Mawarire appears to be a well calculated plan to intimidate him and other activists ahead of the national shutdown organised for tomorrow in an attempt to supress the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,†said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa.
Last week Zimbabweans responded to Mawarire’s call to stay away from work and all major cities including Harare and Bulawayo were significantly affected.
The call to stay away coincided with protests over the governments unilateral decision to ban imports of basic food stuffs and other commodities from South Africa. The strike by teachers over delayed salaries exacerbated the unrest in Zimbabwe.
In Bulawayo protesters set alight a goods train. Protesters battled police in the border town of Beitbridge, where a building was torched. In Harare protesters fought back as police tried to quell protests. A police man lost his helmet in the melee.
After the pastor was arrested police searched his house ostensibly to look for, among other things, the missing helmet.
Videos of Zimbabwe police beating people, including women, under the soles of their feet with baton sticks have gone viral on social media.
“Some 300 people have been arrested for participating in the peaceful protests in different parts of the country since they started last week," said Mwananyanda in a statement on Wednesday.
"Instead of suppressing dissenting voices, Zimbabwean authorities should be listening to protesters like Evan Mawarire. They have a right under Zimbabwe’s constitution and international treaties ratified by Zimbabwe to express themselves, peacefully protest and defend their rights.â€
Amnesty International said Pastor Mawarire has been charged with incitement to commit public violence under the Criminal Law Act ahead of the national shutdown between 13 and 14 July 2016 against “corruption†and the declining economy.
Mawarire is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
– African News Agency (ANA)
