I have to rethink my return to Zimbabwe: #ThisFlag Evan Mawarire

By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |

Evan Mawarire, the pastor behind the ‪#‎ThisFlag‬ campaign that recently helped mobilise Zimbabweans to protest against President Robert Mugabe’s government, is worried that his safety is at stake and says he has to re-think going back home.

He told South Africa’s City Press at the weekend that he would not be returning to Zimbabwe soon following threatening statements by President Robert Mugabe, who said Mawarire must go and live with his “sponsors”.

Speaking at the burial of Charles Utete at the national Heroes Acre recently, Mugabe accused Mawarire of promoting violence.

“The Mawarires, I don’t even know him, and those who believe in that way of living, well, is not part of us in thinking.

“If they don’t want to live with us, they should go to those countries sponsoring them. We will say no, forever.”

Mawarire, who was arrested and acquitted for alleged treason after a wave of citizen protests, has denied ever urging Zimbabweans to turn violent.

All his recorded videos and messages shared through social media do not show he called for a violent removal of the Mugabe regime.

“I have to rethink my return to Zimbabwe because of the current situation. I was denounced by Zimbabwe’s government; yet, I am just one person who has raised his voice and spoken out. So, it is a tricky situation and something that I am still thinking about,” said Mawarire.

“We are allowed constitutionally to challenge our government and raise our voices. As a pastor, the word of God holds me to challenge these injustices, particularly for the poor, for the widows and for the downtrodden.”

“The role that Zimbabwe’s citizens played (for my release) made them the real heroes. I saw thousands of people waiting for me when I was released, and this just proved that this movement is here to stay,” he added. Nehanda Radio