Zimbabwe court dismisses case against pastor accused of inciting protests through Facebook

A Zimbabwean court dismissed the charges hurled against a Baptist pastor who used social media to incite the most widespread protest against the autocratic regime of President Robert Mugabe.

According to Reuters, Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe ruled on July 13 that the court cannot proceed with the trial after the National Prosecuting Authority changed the original charge against Pastor Evan Mawarire of inciting public violence to treason without even reading the charges to the accused.

"A great cry of jubilation went up," wrote Barnabas partner Ben Freeth, on the ruling. "People were dancing and singing and crying and hugging each other. It was a truly historic victory."

Freeth also described how thousands of the pastor's supporters turned the Harare courtroom into something else.

"The court room became a church with people singing and praying. Riot police with guns and water cannons were everywhere but everyone was peaceful," Barnabas Fund quoted Freeth as saying.

Pastor Mawarire took to Facebook on April 19 to express his frustration with the country's corruption, high unemployment rate, and shortages of money. He launched the #ThisFlag campaign that quickly turned viral and called for a one-day shutdown in early July that rattled the regime of the now frail 92-year-old Mugabe, who ruled the country since 1980. He also threatened to mobilise more and longer shutdowns before his arrest on July 12. According to The Guardian, the 39-year-old pastor started the protest after he failed to withdraw money from banks for his two children's school fees.

His movement demanded that Mugabe remove corrupt ministers, including roadblocks that police allegedly use to extort bribes, and for the due payment of salaries.

"The [government] has stolen our money," Pastor Mawarire told The Guardian before his arrest. "It is out of touch with the problems we have. It must begin to listen to the people and stamp out the corruption which has crippled our economy."

The pastor added, "The international community cannot help us if we do not help ourselves."