Leader of #ThisFlag movement, Pastor Evan Mawarire has warned the new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa to desist from former President, Robert Mugabe’s dictatorial and iron fist rule if he wants to avoid public condemnation and mass protests.
Mawarire who was speaking shortly after his acquittal on charges of attempting to over throw the government using unconstitutional ways and inciting public violence, today at the High Court of Zimbabwe warned that citizens would not hesitate protest should the new administration follow Mugabe’s dictatorial tendencies.
“I would also want to warn the new government that if they practice a Robert Mugabe rule we will do this again,” said Mawarire.
He added that there was no reason why he was arrested for attempting to overthrow a government using unconstitutional ways, the reason he is hopeful that Mnangagwa’s ascendancy will offer a new narrative to citizen rights.
“I am absolutely elated that I have been discharged on both charges. The whole journey has been absurd I should not have been in the dock at all. I should have never been here, I should have never been in this dock, the case never had legs from the beginning,” said Mawarire.
Meanwhile, local civic groups under the banner of People’s Will Coalition have written to Mnangagwa demanding that his administration respects the rights of citizens.
In a letter to President Mnangagwa, People’s Will Coalition called for security sector reform and a return to constitutionalism which they said will help the country regain international confidence in the country’s democracy adding that the recent military intervention was necessary for the common good of and not factional interests of Zanu PF.
“We acknowledge Your Excellency’s commitment to “approach security issues, from a broad, human, physical and social perspective.”
“Security sector reform and a return to Constitutionalism will indeed return international confidence in our democracy and assure the people of Zimbabwe that the recent actions by our military were a necessary intervention for the common good and not just factional interests.
“We therefore appeal for the immediate alignment of the security laws with the constitution, a return to the rule of law as well as the establishment of a climate of peace and security,” said Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata who signed the letter on behalf of the civic groups.
