Zimbabwean pastor arrested for wearing national flag during protest

Jardine Malado Tuesday, November 22, 2016

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe addresses the United Nations General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., last Sept. 21. | REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Pastor Philip Mugadza was arrested last Friday for wearing the Zimbabwe national flag on his shoulders while protesting against President Robert Mugabe.

According to Nehanda Radio, he was charged with displaying the flag without seeking the permission from the government. The prosecutors argued that Mugadza's action showed disrespect for the flag.

The use of the flag as a symbol of protest against the government was popularized by Pastor Evan Mawarire through his #ThisFlag campaign. Many protesters have since worn the flag around their necks during demonstrations.

In September, The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs announced that it is illegal for the citizens to "abuse" the flag.

"Members of the public who engage in any action or activity, which involves the manufacture, sale or use of the national flag in contravention of the law are therefore warned that they are liable to imprisonment if they are found guilty by a court of law," said ministry secretary Virginia Mabhiza.

Mugadza was released on bail on Saturday. He faces the fine of $200 or six months in prison if he is found guilty.

Last month, Mugadza petitioned Pope Francis to excommunicate Mugabe who is known to be a Catholic. He said that he decided to write the petition because the president has been behaving in an "unCatholic" manner.

"According to Romans 13:4, a leader is a representative of God here on earth but according to the given account, there is no proof of godly representation in his leadership," the pastor said in his letter, referring to Mugabe.

Mugadza is widely known as the "Mugabe-Must-Go" pastor for his one-man protests against the president. In December 2015, He chained himself to a pole at a resort where the Zanu-PF, the ruling party in Zimbabwe, was holding a national conference. He held a placard that read, "Mr President, the people are suffering. Proverbs 21:13."

The pastor chained himself to a pole again on April 27 this year while holding a Bible in one hand and a cross in the other.

Mugabe declared a state of disaster early this year and appealed for domestic and international assistance after it was revealed that about a quarter of the population was going hungry. The food shortages were blamed on the "Godzilla El Nino" phenomenon which caused a drought in southern Africa.