Protest leader Promise Mkwanazi of Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign is still in police custody, a day after he surrendered himself to police in Harare, who were looking for him for participating in public arrests that shutdown Zimbabwe last week.
According to Zimbabwe’s privately-owned newspaper, the Daily News, Mkwanazi was expected to appear in court today.
He is facing charges related to alleged violence outside a supermarket said to be owned by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.
His lawyers and police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba were not reachable for comment.
At the same time, Pastor Evan Mawarire of #ThisFlag, which played a key role in organizing the crippling stay away last week, said some armed people attempted to abduct him but survived through the grace of God.
In a video posted on the internet last night, Pastor Mawarire said, “Some people tried to abduct me … against my own will … But all that did not happen and we thank God for that. Some other people, some young men I believe have been detained by the police. These are Tajamuka youth. Some of them were detained yesterday (Thursday) and one was arrested today (Friday).
“We don’t understand why these young people are being arrested as all we are trying to do is to build our nation. Mr. Government why don’t you extend a hand that says I agree or that says let’s discuss? Why must you always extent handcuffs?”
He said Zimbabweans people are fed up with what is happening in the country and as a result citizens are staging another stay away on July 13 and July 14.
“Citizens I want to ask you for a favour, I know we did this with you last week. Let’s prepare to do it again. I plead with you citizens, this is the only way this government will understand … This coming Wednesday and Thursday, Wednesday the 13th and Thursday the 14th …”
The government has so far arrested almost 200 people in connection with the protests last week.