#ThisFlag pastor Evan Mawarire was expected to appear in court today. Mawarire was arrested yesterday and charged with inciting public violence. Below is a summary of what happened at court on Wednesday.
10:25 – Heavy police presence at the court.
Water canons parked near the Magistrates court.
10:37 – Job Sikhala arrives at the court.
10:44 – An angry man shouts: “Mugabe come out and address the people.”
11:03 – Evan Mawarire yet to arrive at court.
11:04 – People gathered outside the court sing “Tinokudaidzai Ishe Pfuurai nepano.”
1:17 – Job Sikhala shouts: “Its now Zanu PF end game, they can nolonger control people’s anger”.
11:22 – #ThisFlag pastor Evan Mawarire has arrived at court in a white corolla with tinted windows.
11:42 – Over 100 lawyers show up at the court in solidarity with #ThisFlag pastor Evan Mawarire. Below are some of the lawyers.
11:59 – The crowd outside the court is getting bigger, with some singing the national anthem. The court is full.
12:15 – People have sat down infront of court and are singing church songs. Riot police barring people from entering court as the crowds grows.
13:01 – Investigating officer said to have left affidavit and is going back to fetch it.
13:20 – Court has closed. To open at 14:15.
14:25 – Police have changed #ThisFlag pastor Mawarire’s charges to subverting a constitutional government, according to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
14:46 – People are seated outside the court while Mawarire is still in the holding cells.
15:00 – #ThisFlag campaigner Mawarire now in court. Proceedings have began.
Mawarire’s lawyer Harrison Nkomo has complained about unprofessionalism and an ambush by the State.
He submitted that his client was not formally cautioned of the charges he is being dragged to court for.
Mawarire is donning a Zimbabwe Flag in the court.
15:14 – The State has opposed bail and advised Mawarire to go to the High Court because he now faces a 3rd schedule crime.
15:28 – Mawarire’s lawyer Nkomo argues that his client’s arrest and detention was unlawful because he was never informed promptly of the charges at the time of arrest.
Nkomo urges the magistrate to immediately release Mawarire.
15:30 – The State prosecutor has asked for a 10 minutes adjournment, not back 25 minutes later. Magistrate waiting.
16:06 – State prosecutor argues that the “court is sitting to determine whether reasonable suspicion has been established and we have presented sufficienf facts for accused person to be placed on remand, his arrest and court apoearance is therefore legal!”
16:20 – Magistrate asks for a brief adjournment.
16:28 – Meanwhile, Mawarire’s lawyer is addressing the crowd outside.
16:33 – Magistrate is back, demands to see the warned and cautioned statement related to latest charge.
16:40 – State says there is no ‘warned and cautioned’ statement for the fresh charges because the facts are the same as those for the initial charge of inciting public violence.
16:55 – Court adjourns. Ruling at 5:30PM.
17:11 – People now on their knees praying.
17:50 – Court yet to resume. People praying in the court room.
19:09 – The Court has released pastor Mawarire. The Magistrate says the authorities had acted in violation of the constitution in arresting and charging Mawarire. Daily News
