Cleric and founder of #ThisFlag Evan Mawarire, who stands accused of treason after he supported calls for a stay-away to protest against fuel price increases has demanded for trial.
Mawarire (41), who is represented by prominent human rights lawyers has put the State on notice indicating that he will make an application for refusal of further remand if he is not given a trial date on March 19 and the State would have to proceed by way of summons.
Mawarire is appearing before Harare magistrate Lucy Mungwari charged with treason, alternatively known as subverting a constitutionally elected government.
The State, represented by Mirirai Shumba, alleges that on January 14, Mawarire in connivance with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa, recorded and published a video for the Zimbabwean populace which went viral on social media platforms, including YouTube, Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook, which have a world coverage.
It is the State’s case that the contents of the video were meant to subvert a constitutional government in that Mawarire was coercing the Zimbabwean workers not to report for duty and encouraging civil disobedience or resistance to any law.
Mawarire has however denied the charges.