Information Communication Technology Minister Supa Mandiwanzira last week addressing journalists during the visit of British ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Catriona Laing and he stated that the arrest of #ThisFlag Pastor Evan Mawarire was above board.
Minister Mandiwadzira said “It doesn’t matter who you are, whether you are a politician, a traditional leader, a businessman or a church leader, if you break the law it will take its course .Therefore, his (Mawarire) arrest must be seen in the context of there being the rule of law in our country, that if you breach your bail conditions you definitely will get arrested.” Minister Mandiwanzira advised Ms Laing to use her worldly influence in clearing Zimbabwe’s name, which has been dragged into the mud for allegedly infringing on Mawarire’s rights.”
Pastor Evan had promised to keep a low profile after his release from prison on bail ,so that he does not disturb the process of justice that needs to take place. Mawarire, was arrested at the Harare International Airport on the 1st of February.
The remarks the Honorable minister did not go well with Pastor Evan as he twittered on Saturday from his official twitter account @PastorEvanLive : “@SupaCollinsM please retract & apologize 4 your shameful lie to @CatrionaLaing1 that I was arrested 4 breaching bail conditions. Hamunyari [have you no shame]?”
It is a public secret that when Mawarire left Zimbabwe last July, he was not out on bail. In fact, last year the charges against him had been dropped.
This is not the first time that Supa and Evan have locked horns, last year Mawarire had appeared on Mandiwanzira’s ZiFM Stereo radio station with Zanu PF activist, Tafadzwa Musarara in a heated debate over the social media campaign to force government to “listen to the people’s voice”. When he was living ZiFM Stereo Mawarire was intercepted by Mandiwanzira and they exchanged words.
