Zimbabweans activist pastor Evan Mawarire was today acquitted of subversion in what international news agency Reuters said is seen as a barometer of independence for the courts under new President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s former Vice-President and Justice Minister, was sworn in last Friday taking over from Robert Mugabe who ran the country for 37 years the first seven as Prime Minister.
Mawarire was charged with attempting to overthrow a constitutionally elected government and inciting people to revolt against then President Robert Mugabe.
Speaking after his acquittal Mawarire said he should not have been arrested in the first place because he was merely expressing his constitutional right.
He urged Mnangagwa not to behave like his predecessor adding that no one should be afraid to stand up and express their rights.
“All we are trying to do is to help our government to build our country. I therefore look forward to a better Zimbabwe where suppression of the will of the people will stop,” he said.
Mnangagwa has pledged to listen to the people saying “the voice of the people is the voice of God”.
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