In a fresh crackdown against dissent, the President Robert Mugabe administration has arrested a 45 year-old clergyman during the just ended Zanu PF National People’s Conference for allegedly staging a demonstration against Mugabe’s 35 year-old reign which has destroyed the country’s economy.
Pastor Patrick Phillip Mugadza was arrested and charged with criminal nuisance in contravention of Section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 after he allegedly staged a demonstration in the resort town protesting against the manner in which the ZANU PF party leader has presided over the affairs of the country.
According to the state Mugadza, who resides in Kariba in Mashonaland West province, disturbed the movement of some ZANU PF party supporters who were on their way to attend the ruling party’s annual Conference by waving a banner with a message denouncing President Mugabe.
The state further alleges that Mugadza, a Pastor with the Remnant Church, committed criminal nuisance by waving a banner in the resort town, which read “Mr President. The people are suffering. Proverbs Chapter 21 Verse 13”.
The state charged that Mugadza  by so doing committed a crime.
The Pastor appeared at Victoria Falls Magistrates Court at the weekend and was briefly freed on summons, and ordered to return to court on Monday.
On Monday he was remanded in custody to Tuesday pending judgement by Magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa on his application for refusal of placement on remand.
Magadza who is being represented by y his lawyer Thulani Nkala of Dube and Company Legal Practitioners, a member of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, says he was  exercising  his constitutional right as guaranteed under Section 59 of the new Constitution which provides for “freedom to demonstrate and petition” when he was demonstrating against Mugabe.